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HISTORY

Genesee County

MICHIGAN

HER PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS

By
EDWIN O. WOOD . LL. D.

President Michigan Historical Commission

With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families

VOLUME II

ILLUSTRATED

1916

FEDERAL PUBLISHING ICOMPANY

Indianapolis, Indiana

1415269

CONTENTS

VOLUME I

CHAPTER I— HISTORY OF MICHIGAN 33

First White Explorers in Great Lakes Region — Samuel de Champlain —
His Victories Over the Indians and Their Consequent Unrelenting Hos-
tility to the Whites— The Missionary Spirit— The Franciscan Order— The
Jesuits and Their Work in the Northwest— Jean Nicolet— Fr. Rene Me-
nard — First Map of Michigan — First Accounts of Copper in Northern
Michigan — Oldest Settlement in Michigan — Formal Possession of Mich-
igan by France — Jacques Marquette — Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
and His Explorations — Michilimackinac and Detroit, Rival Centers of In-
fluence — M. de La Motte Cadillac — Michigan L'nder the British — Pontiac's
Conspiracy — Siege of Detroit — End of the War and Signing of Peace
Treaty— Activity in the Fur Trade— Mackinac— The Northwest Territory
— Governor Arthur St. Clair — Indian Treaty of Greenville — British With-
draw from Northwest — Wayne County Formed — Indiana Territory — Michi-
gan Territory — War of 1812 — Hull's Surrender — Indian Massacres and
Depredations — End of the War — Governor Lewis Cass and His Success-
ful Handling of the Tremendous Problems Which Confronted Him — Sur-
vey of Soldier Bounty Lands — Misleading Reports as to Their Character
— Treaty of Saginaw — New Surveys by Cass and Establishment of a Land
Office — Steam Transportation on Land and Water — Beginning of Great
Immigration from the Eastern States — Demand for Roads — Steady Ad-
vance in Local and Territorial Self-government — General Cass a Firm Advo-
cate of Popular Education — A Period of Rapid Growth — The "Toledo
War" — Admission of Michigan into the Union and First State Officials —
Detroit in 1837 — Centers of Population — Pioneer Life — An Era of Specula-
tion — "Wild-cat" Banks — Internal Improvements — Removal of State Capital
from Detroit to Lansing — Adoption of a New Constitution — A New Regime
— Civil War Days — Michigan's Splendid Military Record — Zachariah Chand-
ler — Governor Henry H. Crapo — Immigration Agents — Swamp Lands — Ag-
ricultural Education — Governor Crapo and the Pardoning Power — Public
Aid to Railroad Enterprises — Constitutional Convention of 1867 — Governor
Henry P. Baldwin — Governor John J. Bagley — The Greenback Movement —
Governors Josiah W. Begole, Russell A. Alger, Cyrus W. Luce, Edwin B.
Winans, John T. Rich and Hazen S. Pingree— The Spanish-American War-
Governors Aaron T, Bliss. Fred M. Warner. Chase S. Osborne and Wood-
bridge N. Ferris— Natural Resources of the State— Transportation— Edu-
cational Advancement.

CHAPTER II— THE INDIANS OF GENESEE COUNTY 101

Fragmentary Character of Indian History — Seldom Written Without Bias
— Indian Attitude Towards White Man's Curiosity — Contradictory Writers
— Character of the Red Men — Indians at the Time of the Discovery — The
Story of Ay-oun-a-wa-ta — The Five Nations — Classification of the \'arious

CONTENTS.

Tribes — Hochelaga — Unsanitary Conditions Among the Indians — Cham-
plain — Stephen Brule — Conflict Between the Canadian French and Their In-
dian Allies and the Five Nations, Aided by the Dutch and English — Disper-
sal of the Eastern Tribes and Their Coming to the Michigan Country— Story
of The-People-who-went-out-of-the-land — Early Maps Showing Indian Oc-
cupancy — Former Possessors of Genesee County — Only One Tribal Identity,
the Sacs, Preserved — The Mound Builders — Genesee County Under Huron
Iroquois Occupancy — An Indian Home and Occupations — Agriculture —
The Ottawas — Variant Accounts of the Occupancy of Genesee County by
the Indians — The Chippewas — The Pontiac War — The Indians and the War
of 1812 — Romantic Traditions — The Battle of Long Lake — The Captives of
the Saginaw.

CHAPTER III— INDIAN TREATIES AND RESERVATIONS 149

The Treaty of 1807 — Indian Occupancy of Genesee County — Treaty of Sagi-
naw — Lewis Cass, Joseph Campau and Jacob Smith — Interesting Features
of the Council with the Indians — Louis Campau's Account of the Council
— Pertinent Provisions of the Treaty — The Tribal Reservation — Ne-o-me
— Treaties of 1837 and Subsequently — Reservations to Individuals and
Later Contests Over Them.

CHAPTER IV— SETTLEMENT OF FLINT BEFORE 1837 180

Flint, an Ea'rly Prominent Center of Settlement — Governor Cass's Tour of
Observation and Discovery — The Grand Traverse — Origin of the Name.
"Flint" — Indian Occupation — An Ignominious Whipping — First White Set-
tler at Flint— Grand Blanc, a Rival Settlement— John Todd— Early Perma-
nent Settlers — Organized Government — First Officers — Early Real Estate
Prices— First Village Plats— First Postoffice Established— Land Office-
Road Building — Mills — Influx of Settlers — First Schools — Early Religious
Interest — Social Amusements — The Professions — Flint in 1837.

CHAPTER V— PIONEER DAYS IN THE TOWNSHIPS 198

Original Area of Genesee County — Organization of the Townships — Flint
Township — Land Entries — Early Neighborhood Settlements — Earliest
Schools — Township Records — Stock Marks — Libraries — School Districts —
Grand Blanc Township — Land Entries and First Settlers — A Pioneer's
Description of His Experiences — Village of Grand Blanc — Fenton Town-
ship — Settlers and Land Entries — Beginning of the Village of Fenton —
Reminiscences of Dr. S. W. Pattison and William M. Fenton — Platting
and Settlement of the Village — Professional Men — Linden Village — Plat-
ting of — Schools and Religious Societies — Mt. Pleasant ^'illagc — First Elec-
tion of Township Officers — .\tlas Township — Settlement — Village of Good-
rich — First Township Meeting — Flushing Township — First Settlers — Pio-
neer Conditions— The "English Settlement" — Flushing ^'illage— Mundy
Township — Land Entries, First Settlement and Other Early Events— -Ar-
gentine Township — Settlement — Village of Booton (Argentine) — Mt. Morris
Township — Pioneers — Schools and Churches — "Coldwater Settlement" —
First Township Officers — Genesee Txawnship — Settlement — First Religious
Services — Timber and Saw-mills — First Township Officials — Gaines Town-
ship — Settlement — First Township Meeting — Burton Township — The First
Settlers — Religious Interests and Schools — First Township Meeting — Clay-
ton Township — Original Natural Features — The Pioneers — The Miller,

CONTENTS.

Lyons and Donahoo Settlements — Organization 3f the Township — Vienna
Township — First Settlers — Organization and First Officers of the Town-
ship—Early Schools and Churches— Thetford Township— The Pioneers-
Early Events — Organization and First Officials — Davison Township — Settle-
ment — Organization — An Early Game Law — Richfield Township — Original
Area — First Settlement — Pioneer Difficulties — First Events — Village Cen-
ters — First Township Officials — Forest Township — Its Name — Early Set-
tlers — First Township Officials — Montrose Township — Its Name — First Of-
ficials—Early Prominent Citizens— Mills — The Winter of Want.

CHAPTER VI— FIRST COUNTY COURT 251

Various Judicial Districts in Which Genesee Has Been Placed — First
County Officers — First Board of Supervisors Meeting — Tax Assessments —
First Session of the Circuit Court — First Case Tried — Early Actions of the
Board of Supervisors and County Commissioners.

CHAPTER VII— INDIAN TRAILS AND PUBLIC HIGHWAYS 254

A Nation's Civilization Gauged by Her Transportation Facilities — Indian
Trails, the First Roads — Chief Trails in Genesee County — Beginning of
Good Roads Movement — Record of Roads Laid Out by the Commissioners
of Highways — Adoption of the County Good-roads System in 1909 — Plank
Road Companies — A Reminiscence of the Old Stage Coach — The Flint
River as a Highway.

CHAPTER VIII— GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS OF SETTLEMENT 283

The Bed Rock and Glacial Drift — Original Drainage Beds — Pre-glacial Val-
leys — Movements of the Glaciers — Present Peculiar Drainage System — The
Shiawassee River and Its Tributaries — Cement Industry — Salt Industry —
Clay Mining — Brick Clays — Artesian Wells — Attempts to Develop Coal
Mines — Altitudes — Topography and Natural Features of the Townships.

CHAPTER IX— PIONEER AGRICULTURE 307

Husbandry, the Earliest Industry of the White Settlers — Character of the
Soil — Timber — Early Crops — Early Interest in Live Stock — Wool-growing
and Sheep-shearing — Cattle Breeding — The Crapo Farm — Genesee County
Agricultural Society — Fair Grounds.

CHAPTER X— FLINT RIVER VILLAGE, 1837-55 314

Progress of Flint Typical of the County's Progress — A Period of Advance-
ment — Mills — Roads and Railroads — First Brick Buildings — A Hidden Ro-
mance — Early Industries — The Old Brick Court House — Early Lawyers —
Doctors — Village Schools — The First Newspaper — Early Religious Interests
— The First Library — Ladies Library Association of Flint — The Old Flint
Band.

CHAPTER XI— MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS 334

Genesee County Men in the War of 1812 — The Civil War— Governor Blair's
Patriotic Message — Other Public Utterances in 1862 — Triumphant Return of
the Soldiers at the Close of the Conflict — Michigan Battle Flags Presented
to the State — Historical Sketches and Rosters of the Various Commands in
Which Genesee County Men Were Enlisted — "The Heroic."

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII— RAILROADS 482

Earliest Attempts at Railroad Building — First Michigan Company Incor-
porated — Railroad Building Under Difficulties — First Railroad into Flint^
Congressional Land Grants as Aids to Railroad Building — Later Lines
Which Have Contributed to the Development of Genesee County.

CHAPTER XIII— EARLY YEARS OF FLINT CITY 49-1

Incorporation — The Tax Roll of 1855 — First City Officers — Regarding Some
of the Early Officers — Roster of City Officials — Financial Stringency in the
Early Y'ears of the City — Elements Which Gave Impulse to the City's
Growth — A W'holesome Progress .\long .\11 Lines.

CHAPTER XIV— LUMBERING AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES 504

Pioneer Beginning of the Lumber Industry — .\ Typical Lumber Camp and
Methods of Getting Out the Timber — Wonderful Development of Lumber
Business During and After the War — The Crapo Mills and Others Which
Followed — A Summary of the Lumber Situation — Flint's Manufacturing
Development, a Normal and Legitimate Growth — Manufacturing Interests
at Fenton and Flushing.

CHAPTER XV— BANKS AND BANKING 519

Michigan's First General Banking Law — "Wildcat" Banks and Unstable
Currency — Low Real Estate Values — Later Splendid Results of Earlier E.x-
periences — Legitimate Banking Houses in Flint and Brief Personal Mention
of Some of the Men Interested in Their Success — Present Banks of Flint
— Wonderful Growth in Bank Clearings — 1915 a Phenomenal Year — Banks
at Fenton, Otisville, Flushing. Clio. Davison, Gaines. Goodrich. Swartz
Creek, Grand Blanc, Linden and Mt. Morris.

CHAPTER XVI— THE PRESS 554

The Press, a Potent Agency in the Development of a New Country — An
Account of the Various Newspapers Which Have Existed and are Now
Being Published in Genesee County.

CHAPTER XVII— BENCH AND BAR 551

Genesee First Attached to Oakland County for Judicial Purposes —
First Practitioners Here — First Court Held in Genesee County — The First
Resident Attorney — Edward H. Thomson and Others of the Early Attor-
neys — Lawyers Here in 1850 — William M. Fenton and Contemporaries —
Judges of the Court— Judge Mark W. Stevens — The Genesee County Bar
Association — Present Bar of the County — Genesee Civil List — State Offi-
cers from This County — Circuit Judges-^-State Senators — State Representa-
tives — Judges of Probate — Prosecuting Attorneys — Sheriffs — County Clerks
— Registers of Deeds — County Treasurers.

CHAPTER XVIII— EARLY PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SOCIETIES. 569
Comparison Between Early and Present Conditions of Medical Practice
—Cyrus Baldwin, the First Doctor in Genesee County— Others Who Fol-
lowed — The Genesee County Medical Association — Flint Academy of Med-
icine — Physicians Here During the Seventies and Eighties — Genesee
County Medical Society — Present Physicians of the County.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX— SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION 582

Early Interest in Educational Matters — Records Meager — The Little School
in Flint River in 1834— Gradual, but Steady, Development of the Flint
School System — School Districts — Superintendents of the City Schools —
Parochial Schools — Officers and Teachers of the Flint Schools, 1916 — Miss
Hicok's School — State School for the Deaf — Schools at Fenton — Other
Schools and Educational Institutions — Flint-Bliss Business College — Hur-
ley Hospital Training School for Nurses — County Normal School.

CHAPTER XX— BOOKS AND LIBRARIES 601

High Intellectuality of Early Settlers of Genesee County — Bo.oks in De--
mand — List of Library Books, 1843 — Flint Scientific Institute — Ladies' Li-
brary Association — Free Public Library — The Present Library — Burton
Ladies' Library.

CHAPTER XXI— RES LITERARIA 614

Genesee County's Contributions to the World of Letters — "The Aeolian
Harp" — "Evening Prayer" — "Taps" — "A California Flower Calendar" — A
Thanksgiving Poem.

CHAPTER XXII— SOCIAL LIFE 626

Some Interesting Reminiscences of Social Customs and Events of the Pio-
neer Days in Genesee County — Forms of Amusement — A Pioneer Menu —
A Change in Customs — Indian Callers on New Year's Day — The Old Har-
monia Club — The Fuguenoids and the Flint Choral Society — Bands — Gen-
esee County Pioneer Association and Its Eearly Reunions and Picnics —
County Historical Society — A Poetic Tribute to the Brave Men and Women
of Pioneer Days.

CHAPTER XXIIl— CLUBS OF TODAY 649

The Club, a Natural Growth in Organized Society — American History
Class — The Art Class — Mrs. Fobe's Reading Class — The Shakespeare Club
— The Bangs Shakespeare Club — Columbian Club — The Twentieth Century
Club — The Garland Street Literary Club — The Research Club — St. Cecelia
Society — The Choral Union — The Flint Dramatic Club — The Rotary Club —
Flint Golf Club— Woman's Council.

CHAPTER XXI\'— FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES 661

Independent Order of Odd Fellows — Daughters of Rebekah — Masonic Or-
der, with Appendant Orders — Order of the Eastern Star— Royal Arcanum
— Knights of the Maccabees — Knights of the Maccabees of the World —
Degree of Honor — Grand Army of the Republic — National League of Vet-
erans and Sons — Woman's Relief Corps — Daughters of the American Revo-
lution — Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks — Knights of the Loyal
Guard — Knights and Ladies of Security — Knights of Pythias — Tribe of
Ben-Hur — Independent Order of Foresters — Modern Brotherhood of Amer-
ica — Home Mutual Benefit Association — Ladies' Catholic Benevolent As-
sociation — Knights of Columbus — Fraternal Order of Eagles — Modern
Woodmen of America — Ancient Order of Hibernians — Brotherhood of
American Yeomen — Royal Neighbors of America — National Union — Loyal
Order of Moose — The Vehicle Club — Young Men's Christian Association —
Young Women's Christian Association — The King's Daughters — The
Child's Welfare Society — St. Michael's Benevolent Society — St. Paul's

CONTENTS.

Men's Club — Trades Unions— Flint Factories Mutual Benefit Association
— Lodges at Fenton, Linden, Flushing, Clio. Otisville, Montrose, Swartz
Creek and Davison.

CHAPTER XXV— PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES 694

Daughters of the American Revolution — Order of the Stars and Stripes —
Soldiers and Sailors of Genesee County — Grand Army of the Republic —
Woman's Relief Corps — National League of Veterans and Sons — Regi-
mental Reunions — Flint Union Blues — Spanish War Veterans.

CHAPTER XXVI— VILLAGES OF GENESEE COUNTY 713

Brief Historical Description of Fenton, Flushing, Clio, Davison, Grand
Blanc, Linden, Montrose, Gaines, Mt. Morris, Swartz Creek, Goodrich,
Otisville, Atlas, Geneseeville, Thetford Center, Pine Run, .Argentine, Whig-
ville, Crapo Farm, Brent Creek, Rankin Postoffice, Otterburn, Belsay and
Richfield Center.

CHAPTER XX^'II— RELIGIOUS ORGANIZ.^TIONS 729

Methodist Episcopal Churches — Free Methodist Church — Methodist Prot-
estant Church — Evangelical Churches — Presbyterian Churches — Baptist
Churches — Catholic Churches — Episcopal Church — Christ's Mission — Advent
Church — Congregational Church — Church of Christ, Scientist — Salvation
Army — Flint Ministerial .\ssociation — Churches in the County Outside of
Flint.

CHAPTER XXVIII— THE GOLDEN JUBILEE 748

The City's Fiftieth Anniversary — Account of the Celebration, by Rev. Theo-
dore D. Bacon — Illumination of the City — Laying of the Cornerstone of the
Federal Building — Dedication of Memorial Tablets — Dedication of the
Public Library — Dedication of the County Court House.

CHAPTER XXIX— GREATER FLINT 771

A Wonderful Transformation — Phenomenal Increase in Population and In-
dustries — Early History of the Place — First Industries^Lumbering Inter-
ests — Advent of William Crapo Durant and the Vehicle Business — Rise of
the Automobile Industry in Flint and the Impetus It Gave to the Growth
of the City— Population— City Officials, 1916— Flint City Plats, .Additions
and Subdivisions — .Assessed Valuation, Tax Rate and Amount Raised by
Taxes for the Past Five Years — .\ City of Homes — Civic Building .Asso-
ciation — Board of Commerce — Parks and Boulevards — Park Board — Water-
works — Sewers — Paving and Sidewalks — Fire Department — Police Depart-
ment — General Motors Emergency Hospital Michigan State Telephone

Company — Steam and Electric Railroad Conditions — Flint Industries, 1916—
The Postoflfice— Hurley Hospital— Oak Grove Hospital — Condensed Data
Concerning Flint — Conclusion.

APPENDIX .\— STATISTICS 815

United States Census of 1910, Relating to Genesee County— Population
Statistics — Mortality Statistics — Occupation Statistics — Agriculture —
Wealth, Debt and Taxation — Ownership of Homes — Manufactures.

APPENDIX B— TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1916 831

HISTORICAL INDEX

VOLUME I

Academy of Medicine 575

Advent Church 742

African Methodist Church 734

Agricultural Societies 312

Agricultural Statistics 823

Agriculture, Pioneer 307

Aitken, David D. 540, 566, 659, 685

Alger, Governor Russell A. 88

Altitudes 291

Amusements, Early 634

Ancient Order of Hibernians 680

Ancient Order of United Workmen 691

Argentine 229, 726

Argentine Township —

Lakes 296

Land Entries 228

Mills 229

Natural Features 296

Oflficials 831

Organization 198

Population 815

Soil 296

Streams 296

Artesian Wells 290

Atherton Settlement 235

Atlas 290, 724

Atlas Township — •

Glacial Remains 286

Gravel 287

Lakes 295

Natural Features 295

Officials, First 224

Oflficials, Present 831

Organization 198, 221

Population 815

Settlement 187, 222

Streams 295

Attorneys 196,321, 551

Atwood, William A. 536

Automobile Industry 774

Axford, Dr. S. M. 573

Ay-oun-a-wa-ta, Story of 104

Bagley, Governor John J. 85

Baldwin, Governor Henry P. 84

Bank Clearings 540

Banking Law, First General 68

Banks and Banking 519

Baptist Churches __327, 715, 718, Til, 745

Bar Association 563

Bates, William R. 563

Begole, Governor Josiah W.

86, 530, 566, 568

Belsay 728

Bench and Bar 551

Benevolent and Protective Order of

Elks 675

Benevolent Societies 661

Ben-Hur. Tribe of 677

Bishop, Russell 536

Bliss, Governor Aaron T. 94

Books and Libraries 601

Booton Postoffice .-__229, 726

Bounty Lands 58

Brent Creek 121

Brick Clays 289

Brotherhood of American Yeomen. 680

Burton Ladies' Library 612

Burton Township —

Atherton Settlement 235

Gravel 287

Indian Trails 254

Natural Features 299

Oflficials, First 236

Officials, Present 831

Organization 198

Population 815

Religious Interests 236

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Burton To
Schools
Settleme

Soil

Streams

236
235
299
299

Timber 299

Cadillac, M. de la Mottc

Campau, Joseph 152,

Campau, Louis 152, 158,

Care for the Poor

Carriage-making

Cartier, Jacques

Carton, John J. 527, 565, 567,

Cass, Lewis 55, 63, 151, 154,

Catholic Churches

194, 329, 715, 718, 721, 738,

Cattle Raising

Cayugas

Cement Industry

Census Reports

Champlain, Samuel de 33, 113,

Chandler, Zachariah

Child's Welfare Society

Chippewas

59, 118, 128, 133, 149, 151, 162, 165.

Church of Christ, Scientist

Churches

Cigar Manufacturing

Circuit Judges 253,

Civil List

Civil War

Civil War Days in the State

Clay Mining

Clayton Township —

Donahoo Settlement

Lyons Settlement

Miller Settlement

Natural Features 237,

Officials, First

Officials, Present

Organization

Population

Religious Interests

Schools

Settlement

Soil

Taxpayers, 1844

Timber, Original

Clerks, County 567

Clio-
Banks 542

Board of Commerce 717

Brick Industry 290

Churches 717, 746

Location 717

Lodges 692, 702

Officials 718

Physicians 581

Population 815

Schools 598

Clubs of Today 649

Coal Strata 291

"Coldwater Settlement"

187, 194, 230, 722

Colleges in the State 100

Congregational Church 742

Congressmen from Genesee County 566

Constitution, State, Adopted 65

Constitutional Convention, 1867 84

Copper in Michigan, First Account

of 38

County Clerks — ' 567

County Court, First 251, 552

County Normal School 600

County Officers, First --^ 251

County Seat Located 251

Court Calendar, First 252

Court, First County 251, 552

Court House Dedication 769

Court House History 252, 321

Crapo Farm 311, 727

Crapo, Henry H. 76, 71, 81,

290, 311, 488, 507, 522, 565, 566. 727

Crapo Mills 502, 507

Crapo, W. W. 535

Crosswcll, Governor Charles M 85

Customs of Indians 126

Daughters of Rebekah 663

Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion 674. 694

Davison —

Altitude 291

Artesian Well 291

Banks 542

Churches "18

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Davison — Cont.

Location 718

Lodges 693, 701, 718

Officials 718

Physicians 571, 581

Population 718, 815

Postoffice, Early 718

Schools 598

Davison Township — •

Drainage 302

Game Law 243

Gravel 287

Lakes 302

Xatural Features 302

Officials, First 243

Officials, Present 831

Organization 198, 241

Population 815

Settlement 241

Soil 302

Streams 302

Swamps 302

Deaf, State School for the 592

Deeds, Registers of 568

Degree of Honor 672

Delawares 109

Detroit 42, 47, 50, S3. 66, 149

Dibbleville (Fenton) 210

Doctors 569

Domestic Animals 824, 826

Donahoo Settlement 238

Dort, J. D.

513, 658, 659, 685, 773, 786, 805

Drainage Beds 283

"Drummer Boy of the Eighth" 371

Duffield 290, 291

Durand, George H. 562, 564, 566

Durant, William C. 513, 773

Eagles, Fraternal Order of 679

Early Days in Flint 626

Early Families 192

Early Permanent Settlers 186

Early Physicians 197, 322, 569

Early Years of Flint City 494

Eastern Star, Order of the 669. 690

Education 582

Educational Advancement in Statc__ 98

Elks 675

English Settlement 226

Episcopal Churches 328, 715, 740, 745

Evangelical Churches 734

"Evening Prayer" 614

Explorations of Michigan 36

Factories' Mutual Benefit Ass'n 690

Fair Grounds 313

Farm Property, Value of 824

Fayville "_ 241

Fenton —

Altitude 291

Banks 541, 542

Beginning of 713

Campaign of 1840 219

Cement Industry 7lS

Churches 715, 745

Early Days 213

Growth 714

Immigration 213

Industries 514

Interesting Events 214

Lawyers, Early 196, 220

Location 713

Lodges 690, 703, 7],S

Mail Routes 218

Manufacturing Developments 514

Mills 514, 517

Newspapers 559

Officials 715

Physicians 570, 581

Platted 220

Population 815

Schools 596

Settlement 220

Streets 217

Tavern, First 220

Woman's Civic Society 715

Fenton Light Guard 355

Fenton Township —

Glacial Remains 286

Gravel 287

Indian Burial Place 293

Lakes 292

Land Entries 207

Long Lake 293

Natural Features 292

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Fenton Township — Cont.

Officials, First 222

Officials, Present 831

Organization 198

Physician, First , 209

Population 815

Settlement 207

Streams 292

Fenton, William M. 76, 211, 215, 220, 372,

495, 522. 528. 529, 531, 556, 558, 565,

566, 573

Ferris, Woodbridge X. 94

First County Court 251, 552

First Court Calendar 252

Five Nations, the 106

Flint-
Additions 781

Altitude 291

American History Class 649

Area 784

Art Class 649

Assessed Valuation 782

Automobile Industry 774

Bands 332, 638

Banks 520

Blacksmith, First 187

Board of Commerce 785

Board of Education 590

Board of Health 791

Brick Buildings, First 316

Brick Clay 290

Business College 600

Cemetery 329

Choral Society 638, 658

Churches 729

Cigar Manufacturing 512

City Charter 494

Civic Building Association 784

Clerks, City 499

Clubs of Today 649

Columbian Club 653

County Seat, Chosen 251

Dramatic Club 658 ■

Earliest Days 771

Early Industries 319

Early Social Life 626

Education 193, 323, 502

Election, First City 497

Federal Building 754

Fire Department 790

Flint — Cont.

First Settlers

183

First Store

. . 191

Fraternities

.661, 694

Fuguenoids, the

638

General Motors Hospital

791

Golden Jubilee

748

Golf Club

659

771

Harmonia Club

636

Homes, a City of

784

Hospitals

.791,

795. 810

Hotels, Early

194

Hurley Hospital

795

In 1837

.... 197

In 1838

711

In 1886 _

Incorporation

494

Indian C)ccupancy

181

Industries, Early

.319. 502

Industries, 1916

Jm, 793

Ladies Library Association-

_331. 607

189 ni

Latitude

291

Lawyers, Early

.196,

321, 553

Libraries 330,

601,

611, 762

Lodges

329, 661

291

Lumber Industry

-501,

504, m

Mail Routes. Early

278

Mayors

497

Memorial Tablets

758

Mills 190, 315

, 502

, 507, 712

Ministerial Association .

744

Miscellaneous Facts

812

Newspapers

-325, 544

Oak Grove Hospital —

810

Officials, First

497

Officials, 1916

780

Official Roster

498

Old Flint Band

332

Park Board

788

Parks

. 1- 786

Parochial Schools

588

Paving

789

Physicians. Early

.197.

322, 571

Physicians, Present

580

Plats

188. 781

Police Department

790

Population

.779.

815. 816

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Flint— Cont.

Papulation, Wonderful Growth in 771

Postoffice History 189, 794

Public Schools 588

Railroad, First SOI

Railroads — 792

Real Estate Prices, 1833 188

Recorders, City 498

Religious Interest, Early 193, iH

Research Club 656

Roster of City Officials 498

Rotary Club 658

St. Cecelia Society 656

Schools 193, 328, 582

Secret Orders 661

Settlement Before 1837 180

Settlers 183, 191

Sewers 788

Shakespeare Clubs 651

Social Amusements, Early 195

Subdivisions 781

Surveys 188

Stage Lines 180

Tax Rate 782

Tax Roll, 1855 494

Telephones 791

Trades Unions 689

Transportation 792

Treasurers, City 498

Trading Post 771

Twentieth Century Club 655

Union Blues 705

Vehicle Club 681

Vehicle Industry Hi

Village Plats _^ 188

Village Schools UT,

Waterworks 788

"Wildcat" Banks 520

Woman's Council 660

Y. M. C. A. Building 683

Flint Academy of Medicine 575

Flint-Bliss Business College 600

Flint River 188-, 279, 314

Flint Scientific Institute 604

Flint Township — •

Education 202

Gravel 287

Land Entries 199

Libraries 202

Natural Features 292

Flint Township — Cont.

Officials 831

Organization 198

Population 81S

Records, Early 300

Religious Interest 200

Roads, Early 257

School, First 199

Settlement 187, 199

Soil 292

Stock Marks 200

Streams 292

Flint Union Grays 340

Flushing —

Banks 227, 542

Beginning of 226

Chamber of Commerce 716

Churches 717, 745

Clay Industry 289

Clubs 717

Improvement Club 717

Industries 289, 518

Location 715, 717

Lodges 691, 702

Mills 518

Officials 717

Physicians 572, 581

Population 815

Schools 598

Settlers, First 716

"Wildcat" Banks 227

Flushing Township —

"English Settlement" 226

Gravel 287

Natural Features 295

Officials 831

Organization 198, 227

Population 815

Religious Interests 227

Schools 227

Settlement 224

Soil 295

Streams 295

Foreign-born Population 815

Forest Township —

Lakes 304

Land Entries 245

Names 246

Natural Features 304

Officials, First 247

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Forest Township — Cont.

Officials, Present 831

Organization 198

Population 815

Religious Interests 246

Settlement 246

Soil 304

Streams 305

Timber 304

Franciscan Order ^ 35

Fraternal Order of Eagles 579

Fraternal Orders 661

Free and Accepted Masons

329, 664, 690, 691, 715, 717

Free Methodist Churches 734

Fruits 828

Fur Trade Activity 49

G
Gaines^

Altitude 292

Banks 542

Brick Industry 290

Churches 721

Early Conditions 721

Incorporation 721

Lodges 701

Officials 721

Physicians 572

Plat 234

Population 721, 815

Schools 599

Settlement 234

Gaines Township —

Crapo Farm 311

Gravel 287

Maple Groves 298

Natural Features 298

Officials, First 234

Officials, Present 832

Organization 198

Population 815

Schools 234

Settlement 234

Soil 298

Genesee County Agricultural So-
ciety 312

Genesee County Bar Association 563

Genesee County in the Civil War 334

Genesee County Medical Associa-
tion 574

Genesee County Sheep-breeders and

Wool-growers Association 309

Genesee Light Guard 397

Genesee Rangers 380

Genesee Township —

Gravel 287

Indian Trails 255

Mills 233

Name 233, 297

Natural Features i 297

Officials, First 233

Officials, Present 832

Organization 198

Population 815

Religious Interests 232

Soil 297

Streams 298

Timber 233, 297

Geneseeville 725

Geologic Conditions 283

Glacial Drift 283

Goodrich —

Altitude 292

Banks 520, 542

Churches 723

Founding of 223, 723

Hospital 724

Physicians 572, 581

Population 724

Postoffice 723

Schools 599

Settlement 223, 723

"Wildcat" Banks 520

Governors from Genesee County 565

Governors of Michigan 65, 71, 72

Grand Army of the Republic —672, 699
Grand Blanc —

Altitude 292

Banks 542

Beginning of 719

Brick Industry 290

First Events 207

Mills 190

Physicians 581

Population 720

Postoffice 207

Religious Interests 193. 207

Schools 207, 599

Settlement 185, 187, 719

HISTORICAL INDEX.

197,

Grand Blanc Township —

Indian Trails

Lakes

Land Entries

Natural Features

Officials, First

Officials, Present

Organization 198

Peat Beds

Population

Settlement 187

Soil

Streams

Tax Assessments, First

Grand Traverse 181

Greenback Movement

Greenville, Treaty of

Hard Rock Formations 284

Hay Production 308

History of Michigan 33

Hochelaga .

Home Mutual Benefit Asociation.

Homes, Ownership of 829

Horton, Dexter, Address by 208

Howard, Sumner 558, 565, 566, 567

Hull, Gen. William 53, 149

Hurley Hospital Training School __ 600

Hurons 47, 115, 117, 120, 124, 131

"Hymn to the Sea" 618

Immigration Agents 78

Immigration to Michigan 60

Independent Order of Foresters 677

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

329, 661, 690, 691, 717

Indian Customs 126

Indian House, Description of 125

Indian Occupancy of Genesee

County 150

Indian Reservation _.-149, 161, 162, 167

Indian Traditions 141

Indian Trails 181, 254

Indian Treaties 149

Indiana Territory 52

Indians of Genesee County 101

Internal Improvements, State 69

Iroquois -. 106, 111, 118, 120, 124

J
Jail History 252

Jesuits, The 36

Judges, Circuit 566

Judges of Circuit Court 253

Judges of Probate 567

Kearsley Township 198

King's Daughters 687

Knights and Ladies of Security 676

Knights of Columbus 679

Knights of Honor 691

Knights of the Loyal Guard 676

Knights of the Maccabees 670

Knights of Pythias 676

Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Asso-
ciation 678

Ladies' Library Association 331, 607

Lakes 292, 295, 296, 302, 314, 502

Land Office 189

La Salle, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de. 40

Lawyers 196, 321, 551

Libraries 601

Linden —

Altitude 292

Bank 543

Beginning of 720

Churches 720

Creameries 720

Incorporation 720

Industries 720

Lodges 691, 701, 720

Mills 221

Officials 720

Physicians 581

Platted 221

Population 720, 815

Religious Interests 221

School, First 221

Schools 599

Settlement 221, 720

Literature 614

Live Stock 824, 826

Live Stock, Early Interest in 308

.Lodges 661

Logging, Methods 505

Long Lake 293

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Loyal Guard. Knights of the. 676

Loyal Order of Moose 681

Luce, Governor Cyrus G 88

Lumbering 97, 501, 504, 510, 111

Lyons Settlement 239

Mc
McCreerv, William B 531, 566

Maccabeean Orders 670

Mail Routes, Early 278

Manufactures, Comparative Sum-
mary 830

Map of Michigan, First 38

Maps, Early Michigan 131

Marl Deposits 287

Marquette, Jacques 39

Masonic Order_329, 664, 690, 691, 715, 717

Medical Practice 197, 322. 569

Memorial Tablets 758

Menard, Father Rene 17

Methodist Episcopal Churches. 200,
221, 227, 228, 240, 245, 327. 715,

717, 718, 720, 721, 729. 745

Methodist Protestant Church 734

Mexican War 334

Michigan, History of 33

Michigan, First Map of 38

Michigan Territory 53

Michigan Troops in Mexican War. 334

Michigan Under the British 44

Michilimackinac —42. 46, 49, 54. 119. 128
Military Record of Genesee County 334

Millard, Orson 524, 576

Miller Settlement 237

Mills 190, 229, 248, 315. 502. 507, 772

Missionary Spirit 35

Modern Brotherhood of America 678

Modern Woodmen of America 680

Mohawks 105

Montrose —

Banks 542

Churches 721

Incorporation 721

Lodges 692

Officials 721

Physicians 581

Population 721, 815

Montrose — Cont.

Schools 599

Settlement 721

Montrose Township —

Indian Reservation 306

Mills 248

Name 247

Natural Features 305

Officials, First 247

Officials, Present 832

Organization 198. 247

Settlement 247

Soil 305

Population 815

Mortality Statistics 818

Mott. Charles S 659, 685

Mound Builders 122

Mt. Morris —

Banks 543

Beginning of 121

Churches 722. 746

"Coldwater Settlement"

187, 194, 230, 722

Lodges 701

Physicians 581

Population 815

Schools 599. 112

Mt. Morris Township —

Lakes 297

Name 231

Natural Features 297

Officials 832

Organization 198, 232

Population 815

Religious Interests 230

School, First 230

Settlement 230

Soil 297

Streams 297

Mt. Pleasant 221

Mundy Township —

Births. First 221

Artesian Wells 291

Gravel i 287

Land Entries 121

Name 228

Natural Features 296

Officials, First 228

Officials, Present 832

Organization 198

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Mundy Township — Cont.

Population 815

School Districts 228

Settlement 227

Soil 296

"My Harp" 619

N
National League of Veterans and

Sons 673, 704

National Union 681

Natural Resources of State 96

Navigation Companies 280

Ne-o-me, Chief 152, 165

New England Influence 192

Newspaper, First in State 64

Newspapers 325, 544

Newton, William 557

Nicolet, Jean 36

Normal School, County 600

Northwest Territory 51

Occupation Statistics .

819

Odd Fellows 329,

661,

690,

691,

717

Officials, State, First -

Ojibways 45,

, 60,

128,

131,

133

Old Settlers' Reunions-

642

Oldest Settlement in

Mic

higan

Oneidas _

104

Order of the Eastern

Star_

-669,

690

Order of the Stars and Stripes.

698

Osborne, Governor Chase

S...

Otisville—

Beginning of

246

Brick Industry

290

541

7'>^

Lodges

60'

Mills

Platted -

7^4

Population

-724,

815

Schools

SQQ

Ottawas-4S, 59, 60, 115,

. 128,

131,

149,

181

Otterburn . -

292

7.28

Patriotic Societies 694

Pattison, Dr. S. W., Address bv— _ 209

Pcwanagawink Township 198

Physicians 569

Pine Run 726

Pingrce, Governor Hazen S 89

Pioneer Agriculture 307

Pioneer Days 198

Pioneer Social Amusements 194

Pioneer Society 642

Plank Roads 275, 315

Poets of Genesee County 614

Pontiac, Chief 45, 49, 136

Pontiac's Conspiracy 45, 136

Poor, Care for the 253

Population of State, Early 62

Population Statistics 815

Pottawatomies 45, 60, 131, 149

Pre-glacial Valleys 283

Presbyterian Churches

228, 327, 715, 717. 720, 735, 745

Press, The 325, 544

Probate, Judges of 567

Professions, The 196

Prosecuting Attorneys 567

Railroads 97, 482, 792

Rankin 728

Real Estate Prices, 1833 188

Regimental Reunions 70S

Registers of Deeds 568

Religious Interest, Early 193

Religious Societies 729

Reminiscences, Early 626

Representatives 566

Res Literaria 614

Reservations, Tribal 162

Rich, Governor John T. 89

Richfield 245, 728, 746

Richfield Township —

First Things 244

Gravel 287

Indian Relics 303

Marriages, First 247

Natural Features 303

Officials, First 247

Officials. Present 832

Organization 198, 243

Religious Interest 245

Population 815

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Richfield Township — Cont.

Schools 245

Settlement 243

Streams 303

Timber 303

River men ; 506

Road Building, Early 190

Road Commissioners, Work of 258

Roads, Early 257

Roads, Early, in the State 62

Rosters of Enlistments 334

Royal Arcanum 670

Royal Xeighhors of America 680

Sacs 121, 131

Saginaw, Treaty of 60, 151

St. Clair, Gen. Arthur 51

St. Michael's Benevolent Society-- 688

St. Paul's Men's Club 688

Salt-bearing Strata 289

Salvation Army 744

Sauks 131, 181

Sault Ste Marie 38

School for the Deaf 592

School System of the State 99

Schools 582

Scientific Institute, Flint 604

Secret Orders 661

Senators, State 566

Senecas 106, 119

Settlement of Flint Before 1837 180

Settlers, Permanent 186

Shakespeare Clubs 651

Shawnees 110

Sheep Premiums 310

Sheep-shearing Festivals 309

Sheriffs 567

Shiawassee River 286

Sidney (Flint) 188

Smith, Flint P. 539

Smith, Jacob 152, 156, 171. 183, 771

Social Amusements of Pioneers 194

Social Life in Early Flint 626

Soldiers and Sailors of Genesee Co.- 699

Soldiers from Genesee County 334

South Mundy 290

Spanish-American War 90

Spanish War Veterans 712

Speculation, Era of

Stage-coach Days

Stage Routes

State Capital, Removal of

State Constitution Adopted

State Educational .Advancement

State History

State Officials, First

State Representatives

State School for Deaf

State School System

State Senators

State's Natural Resources

Statistics

Stevens, Jacob, Letter from

Stewart, Capt. Damon 317,

Stock Marks

Stockton, Col. T. B. W

175, 396, 398, 415,

Superintendents of the Poor

Supervisors, First Meeting of

Swartz Creek —

'9'

Banks

54'

Business Interests

723

693,

701

581

Schools

599

Settlement

^^^

T
"Taps"

6'0

Tax Assessment, First

"The Aeolian Harp"

"The Heroic" — An Oration—
Thetford Center

. 251
. 616
. 477

Thetford Postofi^cc

Thetford Township-
Citizens of 1840

Indians

241

. 241
301

Land Speculators

Natural Features

Officials, First

Officials, Present

Organization

- 240,
—198

. 240
. 300
. 241
. 832
, 241
81=;

'40

Trails

301

HISTORICAL INDEX.

Thomson, Col. Edward H 192,

417, 497, 553, 555, 566, 567, 627, 699

Thomson Light Guard 417

Todd, John 186

Todd's Ferry 186, 187

Todd's Tavern 186, 195

Toledo War 65

Topography 284

Trades Unions 689

Trails, Indian 254

Transportation 97, 432, 792

Treaties of 1837 166

Treaty of 1807

Treaty of Greenville 52

Treaty of Saginaw 60

Tribal Reservations 162

Tribe of Ben-Hur 677

Turner, Josiah 561

Turnpikes 276

U
Union Blues 705

Value of Farm Property 824

Vehicle Club '. 681

Vehicle Industry 513, Hi

Vienna Township —

First Events 239

Gravel 287

Indian Trails 255

Natural Features 300

Officials, First 239

Officials, Present 832

Vienna Township — Cont.

Organization 198, 239

Population 815

Religious Interest 240

Schools 240

Settlement 239

Soil 300

Streams 300

Villages of Genesee County 713

Vital Statistics 818

Wagon-making Hi

Walker, James B. 534

Walker, Levi 557, 587

War of 1812 S3

War of the Rebellion 334

Warner, Governor Fred M 94

Whigville 192, 727

-Wild-cat" Banks 227, 520

Willson, Dr. James C 573

Winans, Governor Edwin B 88

Winter of Want 248

Wisner, Governor Moses 556

Wixom, Dr. Isaac 570

Wolverine Guard 417

Woman's Relief Corps 674, 703

Wool Growing 309

Writers of Genesee County 614

Wyandots 149

Young Women's Christian Associa-
tion 682

Young Men's Christian Association 682

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX

VOLUME II

Aitken, Hon. David D i7

Aldrich, Fred A 62

Alexander, Eugene H. 799

Alger, Floyd P. 703

Allen, Floyd A. 79

Andrews, George 108

Anthony, Ray N. 210

Arms, George W. 565

Atherton, Fred D. 394

Atwood, William A. 784

Austin, B. J. 434

Averill, David M. 553

Averill, James W. 412

Bachmann, George J. 630

Bacon, Samuel M. 162

Bailey, Ernest L. 313

Bailey, Walter C. 278

Baker, Charles, Jr. 734

Baker, James D. 775

Baker, John F. 154

Bariset, Ferdinand 502

Bariset, Louis 502

Barker, Frank A. 361

Bassett, Harry H. 229

Bates, Noah, M. D. 130

Baxter, James H. 496

Beach, S. F. 191

Beacraft, William E. 555

Beebe, Walter W. 772

Beecher, Calvin D. 204

Beeman, Edward L. 458

Bendle, John R. 440

Benjamin, Lewis J. 220

Berridge, Joseph W. 350

Berry, Duncan 542

Billings, Joseph F. 419

Billings, Watson W. 417

Bishop, Arthur G. 67

Bishopi Clifford A. 85

Blackinton, Charles A. 767

Blackmore. Fred E. 593

Blackney, William W. 759

Bliss, Chester H. 274

Bloss, Frank D. 180

Bodine, Ambrose 830

Bonbright, Charles H. 264

Boomer, Clement H. 404

Borley, Rev. Howard D. L... 47

Brabazon, Albert J. 674

Brady, Samuel 664

Bradley, Robert 200

Branch, Edmund A. 91

Bray, Everett L. 170

Bridgman, Charles T. 64

Brooks, William 382

Brown, Daniel 411

Brown, Grant J. 45

Brown, W. J. 802

Browne, Robert B. 443

Brownell, Roy E. 110

Buckingham, Lewis 69

Bump, Hiram W. 539

Bunnell, Calvin 697

Burleson, Fred G. 797

Burr, C. B., M. D. 72

Burrough, Edward 212

Buzzard, George M. 694

Buzzard. Matthias 7ii

Callahan, Patrick H. 778

Callow, Francis H., M. D 444

Cameron, Clarence A. 184

Campbell, Charles J. 711

Campbell, George M. 641

Carey, John H. 631

Carmichael, Malcolm W. 387

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

Carniichael, Robert 381

Carpenter, William, Jr. 698

Carrier, Adelbert W. 238

Carrier, Arthur G. 367

Carton, Hon. John J. 216

Cartwright, Hon. John F. 112

Chambers, Charles 592

Chapin, F. A. 528

Chase, George W. 834

Chase, John 175

Chase, Robert J. .- 435

Childs, .A.rchie B. 781

Chisholm, Mrs. Jane 537

Chrysler, Walter P. 152

Cimmer, Arthur W. 702

Clark, Cranson 808

Clark, J. R. 247

Clark, John 508

Clarke. Charles 708

Clifford, Rev. Howard J. 136

Cody, Alvin N. 86

Coggins, George M. 690

Cole, Ira W. 670

Cole, James P. 347

Coles, John J. . 398

Colwell, John B. 839

Conierford, Rev. Michael J. 121

Cook, Henry, M. D. 335

Cook, Wilford P. 728

Coon, George H. 752

Covert, Alonzo J. 448

Cox, Charles E. 785

Crapscr, Hon. Bert F. 371

Crego, Aaron B. 111

Grossman, Merritt A. 198

Curtis, S. E. 576

Dake, Cash H. 819

Dake, Nelson G. -■ 457

Daly, Martin 331

Dauner, Anthony J. 753

Davie, William H. 461

Davis, J. Frank 851

Davis, Walter S., V. S. 276

Davison, Matthew 80

Davison, Robert C. 305

DeLand, Albert M. 329

Delbridge, Grant 298

Dibble, Joel 680

Dickinson, Guy V. 564

Dieck, Ernest W. 377

Doane, Clinton D. 720

Dodge, Perry R. 525

Dolan, Frank 321

Dort, Josiah D. 52

Douglas, Dexter 499

Downer, Menno F. 600

Duff. William 572

DuUam, Frank 770

Dumanois, Charles W. 146

Dunton, Lucius A. 712

Durant, \\'illiam C. ii

Dye, Marion 399

Dynes. John L. 418

Eames, Charles H. 682

Eaton, William F. 510

Eckles. Charles M. 289

Eckley, Earl 295

Eddy, George H. 311

Edson, Ara G. 303

Eggleston, Jasper 206

Eggleston, Lyman 206

Elwood, Ernest T. 635

Embury, Philip O. 292

Endcrs, Harry H. 714

Ennis, James 826

Ensign, Ebern E. 736

Erwin, William J. 226

Fairbank, Hon. Merton W 451

Fairchild, Alfred 598

Farmers Exchange Bank of Grand

Blanc 583

Fenton, Joseph B. 192

Fleming, Eugene 812

Fletcher, .Albert 655

Fowler, William S. 427

Frappier, Era M., Sr. 701

Frawley, William M. 853

Freeman, .\rthur M. 552

Freeman, Horace B. 149

French. James B. 422

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

Frisbie, Marshall M. 103

Frost, Joe 392

Frutchey, Herbert 364

Fuller, Lewis B. 518

Galbraith, Arthur E. 421

Gale, Adrian P. 587

Gale, Perry W. 599

Gale, Will A. 638

Gallaway, Frank A. 844

Gaylord, George M. 677

George, Victor E. 172

Gibson, Stanford S. yH

Gifford, Lewis 643

Gilbert, Horace W. 188

Gilbert, Ira N. 687

Gillett, Leslie D. 357

Gillett, Ralph C. 447

Gillett, Ralph N. 633

Gillett, William H. 495

Gillies, Andrew H. 544

Glerum, Frank F. 743

GoUlstine, William H. - 786

Good, Elias F. . 436

Goodes, William 756

Goodrich, Mrs. Emily 400

Goodrich, William P. 603

Goss, Rev. Joel B. 816

Graff, Otto P. 75

Graham, Hugh W., M. D. 805

Grant, William 817

Green, Frank A. 763

Green. Patrick J. 533

Green, Warren O. 646

Greenfield, James M. 408

Haas, Herbert 159

Hackney. George W. 790

Halliwill, Mile B. 665

Hardy, Fred 821

Harris, Myron : 676

Hart, Robert O. 813

Haskell, Frank H. 126

Haskell, Frank P. 342

Hathaway, Orlando K. 504

Hawley, Berton J. 430

Henderson. Thomas J. 764

Herman. William G. 478

Herrick, Edwin 827

Hetchler, Clarence O. 750

Hibbard. Otis G. 202

Hill. Frank H. 269

Hill, George W. 328

Hill, Harry C. 302

Hill, Israel 480

Hill. Philip P. 488

Hiller, James P. 501

Hills. Harley L. 777

Hinkley. D. Eugene 742

Hinkley. Warren J. 164

Hiscock, Alfred V. 841

Hitchcock, Frank C. 280

Hitchcock, Frederick H. 705

Hobart, Joseph 652

Holden, Claude 285

Holser, Frank 316

Horrigan, John 568

Horton, William H. 232

Hosie, William A. 182

Houghton, Fred M. 524

Houghton, Hon. George E. 362

Houton, John H., M. D. 236

Hovey. Fred 672

Howe. William H. 512

Howes, Seth W. 369

Huggins, George 843

Hughes, Herman 92

Hughes, John 469

Hughes, Peter 405

Hunt, George S. 471

Hurd, John W. 560

Hyncs. William P. 403

Hynes, William T. 141

Jameson, Charles S. 717

Jennings, Byron S. 531

Jennings, John H. 304

Jennings, Leroy M. 492

Johnson, Abner M, 415

Johnson, Earl F. 40

Johnson, Walter L. 828

Johnston, Daniel J. 306

Johnston, John M. 570

Jones, Frank E. 156

Jones, James A. 118

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

Jones, James J. 453

Judson, Fred 550

Jiidson. George 793

Kahl, Bismark 463

Kahl, Henry H. 299

Kcddy, Wilbert H. 320

Kellar, George C. 558

Kendrick, Augustus C. 788

Kerr, Henry H. 835

Knapp, Fred W. 262

Knickerbocker, Walter D. 260

Knight, A. B. 829

Knight, Morris A. 115

Kountz, John E. 390

Kurtz. Daniel 656

Kurtz, J. J., M. D 189

Lahring. William H 234

Laing, Paul L. 151

Lake, William A. 199

Lauderbaugh, William 748

Leach, Clarence E. 601

Leach, Frank B. 645

Leach, William J. 668

Leal. Charles H. 729

Lefurgey, Marshall C 406

Leland. Fred D. 557

Leonard, Charles E. 765

Lillie, Charles E. 228

Linabury, Edwin B. 101

Lobban, Alexander 520

Long, John H. 43

Love, George E. 845

Lowell, Fred H. 186

Luby, Rev. Thomas F. 441

Luce, Charles C. 277

Luce, Clarence 2S2

Luce, Ira D. 818

McAllister. William T. 391

McBride. Homer J. ' 83

McCandlish, John 578

McCandlish. John E. .590

McCandlish, Stephen D. 615

McCann, Fred W. 607

McCaughna, Daniel 571

McCloud, William H. 117

McCrecr)^ Fenton R. 104

McDonald, A. E. 663

McKeighan, William H. 144

McKeon, Paul B. 823

McKinlej', George E. 168

McVannel, George H. 758

MacXeal, George 846

Macomber, John R. 464

Macomber, Elmore J. 345

Macpherson, Herbert .A. 287

Martin, Horace P. 746

Martin, Thomas 413

Mason, Henry G. 723

Mathews, Charles F. 744

Ma.xwell. Thomas R. 776

Mears, Thomas 792

Millard, Orson, M. D. 42

Miller, Charles H. 353

Miller, John A. 251

Miller, Wilbert L. 379

Minto, Charles W. 286

Misner. James W. 201

Mitchell. George .\. 344

Monroe, William N. 595

Montgomery, S. C. 407

Moon, Charles 837

Moore. Edward C. 322

Moran, Coleman P. 824

Morris, Charles S. 315

Morrish, Oscar W. 245

Morrish, Samuel 393

Morrish, Wilbert E. 250

Morrison, Walter 235

Moss. Charles T. 649

Mott. Charles S. 208

Mountain. William W. 248

Mundy, Charles E. 780

Mundy. George E. 283

Mundy, Thomas 332

Murphy. John J. 738

Murphy, Xicholas, Jr. 619

Murphy. Rev. Timothy J. 4S

Myers, Hon. George C. 456

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

Xewcombe, Dclos E. 243

Kiles, Frank A. 783

Nimphie, Henry G. 796

Nimphie, John 431

O'Hare, Peter F. 485

Oliff, Thomas 589

Oik, Joseph P. 852

Ottaway, Fred R. 308

Packard, George, Sr. 529

Page, Thomas 333

Paine, Mrs. Ruey Ann 516

-Parker, G. Russell 739

-Parker, Col. James S. 160

barker. Ward H. 849

Parsons, Edward D. 323

Partridge, Elvah V. 310

Partridge, Fred W. 822

Partridge, Thomas D. 575'

Paterson, \\'illiam A. 138

Patterson. Frank 158

Pengelly, Rev. John E., A. M., D. B. 326

Penoyer, Elmer H. 662

Perkins, Frank D. 636

Perry, Frank M. 685

Perry, George E. 730

Peterson, Ole 548

Phillips, Andrew J. 725

Phillips, Clififord J. 722

Phillips, Elmer X. 358

Phipps, L. E. 803

Pierce, Franklin H. 128

Pierce, John L. 832

Pierson, Harry C. 368

Pierson, Herman H. 215

Post, Earl G. 706

Pound, Sylvester J. 487

Price, James E. 439

Prosser, Arthur 406

Prosser, Hon. Hal H. 546

Prowant, David 420

Putnam, George F. 384

Putnam, William J. 254

Quick, John F. 187

Raab, .\rthur E. 133

Rankin, Francis H. 472

Ransom, Albert E. 804

Ransom, John P. 178

Ransom, Mark B. 563

Ransom, Randolph H. 173

Raubinger, Phihp A. 624

Reed, Rev. Seth, D. D. 424

Reese, Andrew 704

Reese. Loron A. 688

Reynolds, Arthur J., M. D. 148

Richmond, Lemuel 311

Riker, .\ral A. 176

Riley, John W. 360

Ripley. Warren G. 296

Robb, George W. 574

Roberts. Clinton 256

Rockafellow, Emrie W. 579

Rogers, Frank G. 268

Rogers. James 291

Rogers. Warren A. 257

Rolland. Charles E. 718

Root, Earl B. 850

Root. William 494

Roska. Albert F. 446

Russell, John B. 491

Russell. John H. 428

Russell, Mrs. Mary 482

Sanford, Mrs. Jennie E. W 460

Sargent, William H. , 514

Sawyer, Frank J. 583

Sayre, Frank P. 455

Sayre, Ira T. 318

Schmicr, Edward A. 745

Schram, J. Fred 395

Seeley. E. A. 213

Seelye. Xathan A. 612

Selleck, Charles B. 658

Selleck, Robert W. 272

Shanahan, James 522

Shaw, William H. 388

Shuman, Gustav F. 190

Siegel, Charles B. 237

BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.

Simmons, George L 800

Skinner, Bert -^1

Skinner, J. D. 225

Skinner, Jeptha -31

Slattery, Patrick -^74

Sleeman, John J. ---I

Slocum, A. C. 338

Sluyter, Dr. Elden R. 132

Smith, Darwin P. 3S5

Smith. Matthew B., M. D. 716

Smith, Philip OUS

Smith, Samuel E. •227

Smith, William V. 240

Smithson, Thomas W. 135

Soper, O. Eugene 567

Sparks, T. Albert 700

Spenser, James L. 693

Sprague, Wesson G. 621

Stafford, Charles M. 37-1

Stehle, George F. 679

Steindam, August C. 239

Stemmetz, Frank J., Jr. 703

Stewart, Capt. Damon 88

Stewart, Herbert A. 628

Stewart, Samuel S. 60

Stewart, William C. 111

Stiles, Dennis R. 222

Stiles, E. B. 312

Stiles, W. B. 416

Stine, Martin C. -' 605

Stoddard, Claude M. 791

Stoddard, Frederick E. 854

Streeter, Chancy N. 660

Sutherland, L. C. 218

Sutton, Charles E. 617

Swart, Edgar J. 483

Swayze, Judge Colonel O. 77

Sweers, Milo 625

Taylor. Charles E. 100

Taylor, George E. 244

Taylor, George E. 848

Taylor, J. Herman .506

Thomas, Clarence 253

Thompson, James A. 288

Thomson, Col. Edward H. 94

Thomson, Mrs. Sarah T. 95

Thompson, Edmund M. 782

Tice, George W. 336

Tinker, William 271

Todd, Fred __'- 376

Topham, John L. 526

Topping, Charles M. 692

Tiumble, Abram M. 365

Turner, John 768

Upton, Charles O. 476

Utley, Frank H. 294

Van Buskirk, J. M. 166

Van DeWalker, Edward C. 468

\'an Fleet, Jared 761

\'an Slykc. Frank M. 211

Van Slyke, Martin B. 205

^■an Meet, John C. 640

Veit, Jacob 348

Vernon, Patrick E. 142

Vickery, Levant A, 120

X'incent. William 536

^"olz, Jacob 541

Wadley, Will N. 820

Walker, Hon. Levi 195

Walker, William T 125

Warner, Charles K. 396

Watson, Harry W. 123

Webber, George A. 754

Whaley, Robert J. 96

Wheeler, Elmer G. 795

Wheelock, Dr. Amos S. 596

Whitehead, James B. 549

Whitman, Grant W. 737

Whitmore, Francis 301

Wildman, Frank P. 373

Williams, Glenn 855

Wirth, John F. 437

Wisner, Leslie 838

Wolcott, Robert H. 622

Wood, Edwin O., LL. D. .56

Wood, John H. 534

Wood, William N, 352

Woolrttt, Burtis E. 340

Wooliltt. William E. 266

Wright, William T. 666

York, Jerry F. 609

Yonclls, Harry P. 432

^(^. (?ktyia^

BIOGRAPHICAL

WILLIAM CRAPO DURANT.

By force of his rare vision, foresight, energy and courage, WilHam C.
Uurant has become the most conspicuous figure in the automobile industry.
He lias created cities, made independent fortunes for hundreds of people
and, as a pioneer in the development of the motor car, has built a name and
reputation among the greatest captains of industry in the world.

William Crapo Durant was born in Boston, December 8, 1861. His
father was William Clark Durant, a resident of Boston, and his mother was
Kebecca Crapo, daughter of Governor Henry Howland Crapo, fourteenth
chief executive of Michigan and one of the leading lumber manufacturers
in the Wolverine state. His uncle, William W. Crapo, of New Bedford,
Massachusetts, is one of the foremost financiers and public men of the Ba}-
state, having served several terms in Congress.

When Mr. Durant was nine years old the family moved from New
England to Flint, Michigan, where he grew to manhood, received his educa-
tion, and spent thirty-five years, the last twenty-live in active business as a
manufacturer. At seventeen years of age he started for liimself as an
employee in the Crapo lumber yard and mill, owned by his grandfather.
He gained a thorough knowledge of the business, starting in as a mill hand,
then in the yards as salesman. His ability had been recognized to such an
extent that at twenty-one years of age he was asked by the board of direc-
tors of the I'lint City Water Works Company to reorganize its business and
put it upon a sound footing. It was a big task, but he accomplished it, plac-
ing the company on a profitable basis.

Mr. Durant was made a director of one of the leading banks of Flint
(3a)

34 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

and became identified with several of the largest business lionses of the city.
He brought a numljer of fire insurance agencies together and. while not
giving his entire time to it, yet, as its directing head, built up one of the
largest agencies in central Michigan. About this time he became connected
with the George T. Warren Cigar .Manufacturing Company, starting as
shipping clerk, and e\entually eftected a complete reorganization of the busi-
ness, building up what became one of the largest concerns of its kind in the
state. In 1893, during the panic of that year, Mr. Durant organized the
Clearing House Association in the city of Flint and was elected secretary,
serving for three years. His work in this special line attracted favorable
attention from all the banks of the state.

When still under twenty-five years of age, he associated himself wiili
J. D. Dort in the manufacture of road carts. Later, in August, 1886, the\-
organized the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, with V. A. .\Idrich as secre-
tar)'. The roadster, or road cart, had l)0unded into fa\or with the farmers
and not only made a large amount of money for the company, but estab-
lished a reputation for Mr. Durant and his associates, which they were
quick to turn to account by engaging in the manufacture of carriages upon an
extensive scale. By producing in large volume they brought alxwt a re\olu-
tion in the price of carriages, and their business grew to an annual output
of more than one hundred and fifty thousand vehicles. In the meantime
they had taken over the Castree-Mallery Company, a large agricultural imple-
ment manufacturing plant, which was not a financial success, and con\erred
It into a modern carriage factory to he owned and operated by the Wel>sler
Vehicle Company, a unit of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company. About
this time the Pellett Table Company, having a large factory and equipment,
was acquired by the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, making the th.ird unit :
this company was known and operated under the name of the Diamond
Bugg)- Company. The Durant-Dort Carriage Compan}-, with its tliree iaree
carriage-manufacturing plants and the various accessory factories, togetlicr
with two other carriage companies, the W. .\. Paterson Company and tiic
Flint Wagon Works, gave to Flint the title of tlie •A'ehicle City." by which
it was known in every state in the Union.

Mr. Durant was a pioneer in the development and manufaclurc i:l" the
automobile. Tlie Flint Wagon AX'orks had started to manufacture a gaso-
line engine lirought out by a man named Buick. They hoped 10 market thi-^
fann engine tlimngh tiieir regular (listril)utors wlio haivlied tlieir farm

1415269

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 35

wagons and carriages. In the meantime Mr. Buick was working to perfect
a motor vehicle, iitiHzing the motor originally planned as a stationary en-
gine. Mr. Durant had for some time been quietly investigating motors and
making ready to enter into the business of manufacturing motor cars and
was solicited to take over the motor part of their business. The outcome
was the formation by Air. Durant of the Buick Motor Company in 1904 and
the foundation laid for what became in igo8 the largest automobile factor}^
in the world.

The industry was entirely new. Capital was timid. It required a
\ ery large amount of money to handle a business of such magnitude. Steel,
aluminum, brass, copper, sheet metal, leather, hickory, white wood— every-
thing entering into the building of a car — had to be purchased in enormous
quantities. Special tools and machinery had to be made, new buildings
erected, and, last but not least, a sales organization, with branches and dis-
tributors cowering the entire American continent, must be provided. It was
a task for an empire builder. Mr. Durant's keen vision had foreseen, in
larger measure than any other man, the enormous demand which would
come for the motor car when it should have displaced the horse-drawn vehi-
cle, which situation he was the first to predict. The sales organization and
distributing units brought into being by Mr. Durant's personal activities and
direction, stand as a monument to his generalship. But, given the means to
absorb the large volume, the herculean task remained to make certain
that the manufacturing branch of the business could provide for the deliv-
eries. In 1907, against the great odds of one of the worst financial panics
the countr}- had ever known, Mr. Durant built the mammoth buildings mak-
ing up the plant of the Buick Motor Company.

In 1908 he organized the General Motors Company, of which the Buick
was the nucleus. He purchased the Cadillac Motor Car Company of De-
troit, the Olds Motor Works of Lansing and the Oakland Motor Car Com-
panv, adding them to the General Motors Company ; also the Northway Motor
Company of Detroit, the Jackson Church Wilcox Company of Saginaw,
the General Motors Truck Company of Pontiac, and in 1909 had created a
company which showed net earnings for that year of $9,721,973.91. and for
the year 1910 a net profit of $11,090,753.72. At the end of the latter
vear, the volume of business exceeded $50,000,000 annually.

The General Motors Company fulfilled in volume and earnings even-
forecast made by its founder. The organization which Mr. Durant brought
together has remained practically intact, save for the addition of Walter P.

36 GENESEE COfXTY, MICHIGAN.

Chrysler as factory manager of the Buick-. In 1915 ^Ir. Durant acquired
complete control of the company and in 1916 became the president of the
i^reat industrial corporation whicli lie had created.

In the meantime Mr. Durant organized the Chevrolet Motor Company
and commenced tlie manufacture of the lowest priced electrically equipped
touring car on the market. He placed the business on a sound basis, estab-
lishing at Flint a group of the most modern factories in the coun-
try, with complete axle and motor plants, factories in Tarrytown and New
York Cit}', also a transmission plant at Toledo, an accessory plant at Bay
< ity, with assembling plants at Oakland, California, and Fort Worth, Texas,
and allied factories in St. Louis, Missouri, and Oshawa, Ontario.

The Chevrolet became a household word, not only on the .\merican
continent, but in nearly all of the civilized coiuitries of the globe. The vol-
ume of business of the General Motors Company and the Chevrolet Motor
Company reached nearly $200,000,000 per annum, and the name of Mr.
Durant was linked with those of Andrew Carneg"ie. Thomas A. Edison,
Charles M. Schwab and other giants of the industrial world.

In the meantime the erection of the Chevrolet plant and the units of the
General Motors Company in Flint, such as the Buick jNIotor Car Company,
the Champion Ignition Company and the IMichigan Malleable Castings Com-
pany, had transformed the city from a population of less than fourteen
thousand, as shown by the United States census of 19 10, to approximately
eighty-five thou.sand at the close of 19 16. Property values advanced in
some cases six to eight fold and fortunes were made by a very large number
in real estate and mercantile pursuits, as well as by those who had been asso-
ciated with Mr. Durant in his various companies. In 1916 the Chevrolet
Company acquired a large block of stock of the General Motors Company
and a mutuality of interests obtained, principally because i\Ir. Dunmt and
his friends owned a majority of the stock of both companies.

In 1916 Mr. Durant organized the Perlman Rim Company and, later,
the United Motors Company, comprising seven of the strongest motor car
accessory companies, and the same year consolidated the Sterling Motor
Company with the Scripps-Booth Company, and was influential in the
formation of the Motor Products Company.

Easily the leader in the motor car field, Mr. Durant is recognized as a
constructive builder, manufacturer, financier and salesman, ^^'hen, in 1907.
he predicted that within fifteen years it would require the manufacture of
two million motor cars annually to meet the foreign and domestic demand

GENESEE COtJNTY. MICHIGAN. 37

for American-built cars, many financiers expressed doubt at the possibility
of the country absorbing such a large number, yet in 1916 the industry had
grown to such magnitude that its volume was exceeded only by steel and
cotton, with a practical certainty that it would pass cotton and become sec-
ond only to steel within a \ery short time. In fact, the 191 7 schedule of
the General Motors Company and Clie\rnlet contemplates an output in ex-
cess of three hundred thousand cars.

In 1916 JNlr. Durant was elected one of the directors of the Flint Board
of Commerce and was actively identified with the movement to build five
thousand additional homes in Flint for the employees in the several General
^Motors and Chevrolet factories. The fine po.stoffice building at Flint was
secured largely tin-ough the efiforts of Mr. Durant, who a.s a member of
the committee appointed by the city, gave undivided attention for several
weeks to bringing before Congress the needs of Flint as a coming manu-
facturing center.

Such has been the career of Flint's foremost citizen, whose activities have
extended its fame to the ends of the world and made it a city of homes,
schools and churches, taking front rank among tiie manufacturing cities of
the country.

Air. Durant is a philanthropist and generous contributor to worth\-
charities and educational and religious work, but steadfastly adheres to a
fixed rule that his name shall not be published in connection with any gifts
for such purposes. Mr. Durant is a meml>er of the Detroit Club, Detroit
Athletic Club, Calumet and Lotos Clubs of New York, and the Flint Coun-
try Club, and holds a life membership in Mint Lodge No. 222, Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks. He is a Presbyterian and his political affilia-
tions are with the Republican party.

He has two children, a daughter, the wife of Dr. Edwin R. Campbell,
of New "S'ork City, and a son, R. Clififord Durant, of San Francisco, Cali-
fornia.

HON. D.W^l) DEMOREST AITKEN.

Hon. David Demore.st .\itken, former member of Congress from the
sixth Michigan district, former mayor of the city of Flint, former president
of the Michigan State Fair Association, president of the Holstein-Friesian
Association of America, former president of the Flint Chamber of Com-
merce, a leading member of the 1)ar of the Genesee circuit court and for vears

38 l^KXF.SF.R COU.VTY, MICHIGAX.

one of the most active ligures in the financial and industrial life of this sec-
tion of the state, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his
life. He was horn on a farm in Flint township, Septemher 5. 1854, son of
the Hon. Rol>ert P. and Sarah J. (Johnson) Aitken, prominent pioneer resi-
dents of this county, the former of whom represented this district in the
Michigan legislature and in other ways contributed largely to the develop-
ment of this region.

Robert P. Aitken was ])urn on a farm near the village of Scotchbush,
Montgomery comity. New York, .son of William and Helen (Chalmers)
Aitken, both natives of New York state, of Scottish descent, who spent their
last days in the Scotchlmsh neighborhood, lx)th living to good old ages.
They were the parents of six children, of whom Robert P. was the eldest,
the others being John, William, James, Grace and Isabella. Robert P.
Aitken, when a young man. left the home farm and became a clerk in a store
in New York City, where he married Sarah J. Johnson, who had just com-
pleted her schooling in a young ladies' seminary at Newburgh. She was the
daughter of William and Hannah (McCartney) Johnson, the former of
whom was a native of Ireland, of Scottish descent. After coming to this
country, he made his home in New York City, but later he and his wife fol-
lowed their children to Michigan and settled in Flint township, this county,
where both spent their last days, the former dying when not much past mid-
dle age and the latter living to a ripe old age. They had three children.
Sarah Jane, Matilda and William. In 1841 Robert P. Aitken and his wife
came to Michigan and settled on a pioneer farm in Flint township, this
county. Mr. Aitken was a man of strong personality and at once took an
active part in local affairs. For thirty-one consecutive years he .ser\'ed as
supervisor of Flint township and during the years 1S63-64 served as a repre-
sentative from this district to the Michigan General Assembly. He lived to
the great age of eighty-seven years, his death occurring in 1896. His wife
liad preceded him in death fifteen years, her death having occurred in 1881.
She, too, had taken a prominent part in tiie social and cultural life of her
community and for years had exerted a strong influence for good.

David D. Aitken was reared on the patemal farm in Flint township
and received his elementary education in the district school, which was situ-
ated about a mile and a half from his home, supplementing this .schooling
by a course in the Flint higli school, upon completing which he became
engaged as a bookkeeper in a Flint commercial house and later became a
salesman in a store. While thus engaged, in 1879, he married and, in pur-
suit of a long-cherished design, entered seriously upon the study of law.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 39

111 1883 he passed the required examination and was admitted to the bar, at
once entering upon the practice of his profession at Flint, where he ever
since has made his residence. Mr. Aitken long has made a specialty of
insurance law and has had inucli to do with shaping towards solvency the
fraternal insurance associations of the country^ with which he has been
intimately identified, having been the general counsel for two of the largest
of these concerns. From the beginning of his professional career in Flint,
Mr. Aitken has taken an active and an influential part in local politics. In
1892 he was elected to represent this district in Congress and was re-elected
in 1894, serving two terms, at the end of which time he declined to stand
for further nomination. In 1906 he was elected mayor of Flint and rend-
ered admirable public service in that capacity. Earlier he had served as
city clerk and also had been city attorney for some years.

Mr. Aitken also has taken an active interest in commercial and indus-
trial affairs. He assisted in the organization of the Citizens Commercial
and Savings Bank and the Industrial Savings Bank, of Flint, and has been
a director in both since their organization. He is president of the Imperial
Wheel Company, of Flint, and of the Pine Bluff Spoke Company, of Fine
Bluff, Arkansas, and is a director in the jNIarvel Carburetor Company. For
many years Mr. Aitken has taken an active part in the affairs of the Mich-
igan Agricultural Society and for some time sensed as president of the Mich-
igan State Fair Association. He also for some time was president of the
Flint Board of Commerce and in other ways has exerted his personal influ-
ence and executive ability in ]:)ehalf of the advancement of the best interests
of his home town. Mr. Aitken also is largely interested in farming and is
the owner of what is declared by many to be the best-equipped dairy farm
in the state. He has an excellent herd of Holstein cattle and is president
of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, the largest organization
of pure bred live stock breeders in the United States. In addition to his
model farm at the edge of the city, Mr. Aitken is the owner of the old home-
stead farm where his father and mother settled in 1841 and which he expects
to retain as long as he lives. He owns one of the most beautiful homes in
Flint at No. 326 East Third street, where he and his wife are very com-
fortably situated.

In 1879, David U. Aitken was united in marriage to Ada Elizabeth
Long, who was born at Milburn, New Jersey, and whose father died there
when a little past thirty years of age, leaving two children, there having
been a son, William Henr\- Long. The Widow Long married, secondly,

40 GENESKF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Wesley R. Ayres and i- still living; at Millmrn. at the age of eighty-three
years. To her second marriage one daughter was horn, Grace, who mar-
ried William E. Fellows, a well-known jeweler at Mint. The paternal
grandparents of Mrs. Aitken were Joseph and Elizaheth ( Wilkinson) Long,
natives of New- Jersey, the former of whom died in that state at the age of
twenty-six and the latter of whom lived to the age of seventy. They were
the parents of three children. Harriet, Mary and William Henry. Her
maternal grandparents were Robert and Esther (Tichenor) McChesney.
natives of New Jersey, who died there, he at the age of thirty-eight and she
at ninety-one. They were the parents of four children, .\aron, Andrew
Jackson, Martha and Sarah Jane. Airs. Aitken's maternal great-grand-
father, Caleb Tichenor. was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolu-
tionar\r War and there were several others of her kinsmen in that generation
who contributed to the success of the cause of the colonists. Atrs. Aitken
is a memljer of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is vice-regent
of the Genesee chajiter of that patriotic organization. Mr. .Aitken is a thirty-
second-degree Mason, a Knight Templar as well as a member of the .Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite, and is a noble of the .Ancient .Arabic Order of Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine.

Mr. Aitken has been greatly interested in public welfare work, to which
he has contributed liberally of both time and money. He is treasurer and
trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association and trustee of the Young
Women's Christian Association, in both of which institutions he is intensely
interested.

EARL F. lOHNSON.

Earl F. Johnson, mayor of the cit}- of Flint and i)usiness agent for the
Union Trust and Savings Bank of that city, former county treasurer and
for years actively identified with the business interests of Genesee county
and his home city, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all
his life. He was born on a farm in Thetford township. March 30, 1868,
.son of Delos I. and Hannah J. f Scott) Johnson, the former a native of the
state of New A'ork and the latter of Ohio, who were the parents of three
children, of whom Alayor Johnson was the last-born, the others being
Charles, deceased, and Clara, wife of D. W. Ramsey, of Spokane. Wash-
ington.

Delos I. |ohn>;c)n was born in l'"rie county, Xew A'ork. son of John and

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4I.

Esther (Miles) Jolinson, natives of that same state, and was the eldest of
the seven children born to that parentage, the others being George P., Homer
L., Devillo '\\.. Evelyn J. and two who died in infancy. The mother of
these children died in her home in New ^'ork and in his later years John
Johnson came to Michigan and spent his last years in Genesee county, l>eing
eighty-fom- years of age at the time of his death. Delos I. Johnson was
reared in his native county in New York and when a young man came to
Michigan, settling in Genesee county, where he began teaming and was for
some time thus engaged in freighting through from Pontiac, Holly and Sag-
inaw. Later he became engaged in the milling business and for some time
operated a saw-mill in Thetford township. There he married Hannah J.
Scott, who was born in Ohio, daughter of Charles and Rachel (Moulthrougli)
Scott, natives of that same state, who came to Michigan in the early days of
the settlement of this state and settled in Genesee county, becoming substan-
tial farmers of Thetford township. There both spent the rest of their lives,
she dying in middle life and he at the age of seventy-five years. They were
the parents of .six children, of whom Mrs. Johnson was the second in order
of birth. lhe others being IMelissa, Walter, Gharles, Louisa and Albert.
While he was milling, Delos 1. Johnson became the owner of two Inmdred
and forty acres of timber land in Thetford township, which he cleared' and
where he established bis home, spending there the rest of his life, his death
occurring" on. April 2(\ loii, he then being se\'entv-nine years of age. His
widow, who survives him, is now in her se\ent3'-sixth year.

Earl F. Johnson was reared on the paternal farm in the near vicinity of
East Thetford, receiving his elementary education, in the schools of that dis-
trict and supplementing the same by a cour.se in the normal school at Flint,
after which lie taught school for three years in the district schools of this
county. He then married and engaged in the mercantile business, opening
a general store at E.ast Thetford, and was there engaged in business for ten
years. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and has e\-er given his close attention
to the political affairs of h\^ home county, louring his residence in Thet-
ford township he served as treasurer of that township and also as supervisor.
In 1898 he was elected treasurer of Genesee county, serving the countv in
that important capacity for four years. Following his election to the ofifice
of count}- treasurer, Mr. Johnson mo\ed to Flint, the county seat, and has
ever since made his home in diat city. I'pon the completion of his tenn oi
.service in the treasurer's ofiice. in 1903, be was appointed division deputy
revenue collector for the first district of Michigan and continued in that
office tnitil October i, 10T4. On Feliruan- i, iqIt, he became tlie business

42 (5i-:nes!:k county, .miciih.an.

aiiciit for tlic L'niun Trust and Sa\ini;"s liank of l-"linl and still occupies that
pfjsition, although he latel}- has been called on to perforin tlie duties of chief
e\ecnti\-e head of the city of Flint, a position which he now occupies. On
April 3, 1910, Jiarl V. lohnson was elected mayor of Flint and it is a sufli-
cient attestation of his personal popularity in that city to note that he was
elected by the greatest majority e\er given .1 candidate for the office '.f
mayor in the city of Flint.

On December 31. i88<), Farl V. Johnson was united in marriage to
]''.mma B. Johnson, who also was born in Thetford township, this county,
September 18, 1868, daughter of Theodore and Adehiide Johnson, both, now
deceased. The former was a native of Vermont and the latter, of Ohio.
They came to Michigan many years ago and settled on a farm in Thetford
township, where they reared their family and spent the rest of their lives.
They became the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Johnson was the
last-born, the others being George, Lynda, ,\ntoinette, Millie and Walter.
To Mayor and Mrs. Johnson seven children have been born, namely: Zella,
who married George D. Perry, of Flint, and has a son. Earl J. ; Walker R.,
a student in the University of Michigan at Ann .Arbor, and Gladys H.,
Maynard D.. FZdith B.. Irving E. and Donald E., who are at home.

Mayor Johnson is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a member of Genesee
Lodge No. 174, Free and .Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No. 15,
i\oyal Arch Masons; Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Temp-
lar, at Flint; affiliated with the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite, at Detroit, and is a noble of Moslem Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the latter city, and is also
a member of Flint Lodge No. 222, I'enevolent and Protectix'e Order of
h:iks. at Flint.

ORSON MILL.VRD. .\l. 1).

Orson Millard, M. D., was born, October jj. 1845, in the town of
Utica, Macomb county, Michigan, and is a descendant of a family of Hugue-
nots who fled from France in 163J. His father, James Madison Millard,
was a cousin of Millard Fillmore, the thirteenth President of the United
States, and his maternal grandmother was one of the Conger family, to
which ex-Senator Omar D. Conger belonged.

Orson Millard graduated from the University of Michigan in 1870
and came directlv to I'lint, where he has since resided. He was for a num-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 43

ber of years physician in charge at the Michigan school for the deaf, and
also for four years president of the board of United States pension examin-
ing surgeons for Genesee county.

Doctor Millard has been a close student of his profession and has made
a number of scientific discoveries which have attracted attention from the
'medical fraternity of both continents. The Micliigan University Medical
Journal, volume II, January, 1872, edited by George E. Frothingham, M.
D., contains an account of a case treated by Doctor Millard which attracted
much attention at that time, and in the Cyclopaedia of the Practice of Medi-
cine, volume X\T. edited by Dr. H. Von Ziemssen, of Munich, Bavafia, the
author gives the credit for first employing carbolic acid in cases of diabetes
to Doctor Millard. The Doctor also received favorable notice in the
Clicmiker-Zeitung, published at Cothen, Prussia.

During later years Doctor Millard has retired from the active practice
of his profession, being for a number of years a member of the medical
section of the National Fraternal Congress, and at one time its president.
In 1907 he was the Democratic nominee fur regent of the Universit)^ of
^Michigan.

Doctor Millard wa.s married in 1872 to Sarah A. Gardner, direct
granddaughter of \VilIiam Mooney. ex-Revolutionary soldier who founded
the society of Tammany, in 1789, and daughter of the Rev. Dr. T. C.
Gardner, of .\nn .\r1ior, one of the most eminent Methodist clerg}-men of
Michigan, in his day. Mrs. Millard was born in Northville, Michigan.
June 4, 1845. The day following their marriage Doctor and Mrs. Millard
moved into their home on Harrison street, where Mrs. Millard's death
occurred on March 25. 1916. Mrs. ]\Iillard was a woman known for her
scholarly attainments, being a linguist of unusual ability, and in the earlier
days of Flint was a member of the Ladies Lil^rary Association. Her sur-
viving children are T. Carl Millard, and Mrs. Andrew J. Buckham, who
has one son, Tliomas Robson Buckham, jnd.

lOFIN H. LONG,

John H. Long, treasurer of the city of Flint and for many years prev-
iously to his election to that office, in the spring of 1916, the proprietor of
the Bliss Business College in that city, is a native of the Dominion of Can-

•.EXESKK COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

ada, l)uni at i'ort Do\er, January 12, 1S75, son of Joseph and Wilmina
{ McBride 1 Long, both uati\es of the dominion, who are still Hving on the
farm they long have occupied in the Dover neighborhood.

Joseph Long was born and reared near Dover, son of William Long and
wife. nati\cs of the state of New York, who located in Canada and sj^ent the
rest of their lives there. They were the parents of four children, Joseph,'
Henry, I'rank .md a daughter. Joseph Long married \\'ilmina McBride,
who was also born in Canada, daughter of James and Isabel (Austin)
AlcBride, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Canada. Mr. and
Mrs. McBride were the parents of twelve children, Wilmina, John A., Emily.
Annette. Elizabeth, Thomas, Robert, Samuel, George, Sidney, Abigail and
Xancv, all of whom are still living. To Joseph Long and wife eleven chil-
dren were born, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others
being as follow: lunma, wife of Alva, Belbeck, of Port Dover, Canada;
fames Arthur, deceased: Alice E., wife of John Greenbury. of Flint; Perr}-
\^^. of Flint: George ^^'.. of Port Dover; Charles M., of that same place:
Hrucc T., of Mint: Xina, wife of Clarence Ferris, of Port Dover; Craig.
also of Port Dover, and Merritt, of Ingersoll, near Woodstock, Canada.

L'pon comi^leting the course in the high school at Port Dover, John 11.
L(jng took a course at the INlodel School at Simcoe and the Normal School
at Toronto, receiving uix>n his graduation a life certificate good anywhere
in the i)r(n-idence of Ontario. Thereafter he taught school for seven years,
after which he attended the Business College at Toronto and thereafter
t;iught in business colleges at North Adams, Massachusetts, and at Saratoga,
New ^'ork, until 1900, in which year he bought the Bliss Business College
at 1 "lint and moved to that city, thereafter conducting that school for thirteen
\ears. In the city campaign of 1916 Mr. Long was made the nominee of
the Republicans of I^lint for the office of city treasurer and in April of
that \ear was elected by a majority of three thousand six hundred and
eight) -nine votes and is now serving in that capacity.

On .Vovembcr jS, kjoi. the year after locating at Mint, John 11. Long
was united in marriage to Maud Cook, who was born in that city, daughter
of Miles P. and Susan ( Reid ) Cook, the former a native of Ohio and the
latter of Flint, who had lour .daughters, Katherine, Mabelle, Maud ami
( irace. To Mr. and Mrs. Long two sons have been born, Malcolm Can-
more and lolin 11. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Presbyterian
church and he is ;i ileacon in the same. He is a -=Royal .\rch Mason and ;i

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 45

member of the Independent Order of Odd l^'ellows. The Longs reside at N'o.
414 West Court street, Flint.

GRANT J. BROWN.

Grant J. Brown, cashier of the Industrial Savings Bank of Mint and
one of the best-known figures in financial circles in this part of the state,
is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was
born on a farm in Flushing township, this county, September 6, 1873, son
of Hiram M. and Florence A. (Sutton) Brown, the former a native of
Canada and the latter of this county.

Hiram M. Brown was but a boy when he came to Michigan in 1856
with his parents, James Brown and wife, both natives of Canada, the former
born near London, Ontario, and the latter at IngersoU. James Brown home-
steaded a farm in Flushing township, this count}', and there he and his wife
spent the rest of their lives, both living to advanced years. They were the
parents of six children, James, Joseph, Hiram M.. IMelinda, Charlotte and
Mar3^ Hiram M. Brown grew to manhood on the home farm in Flushing
township and later bought an eighty-acre farm in that vicinity and began
farming on his own account. Fie later purchased additional land and became
a very substantial farmer. In 1895 ^'^ moved to Flushing, where he made
his home until 1908, in which year he moved to Flint, where he is now
living, comfortably retired, at No. 834 Detroit street. His wife died in
1897, at the age of forty- four years. She was born in Gaines township,
this county, daughter of W'illiam Sutton and wife, natives of New York
state, who became early settlers in this county, substantial farmers near
Duffield. William Sutton died many years ago and his widow survived him
for years, her death occurring at the home of Hiram M. Brow-n. There
were seven children in the Sutton family, those besides Mrs. Brown having
been William, Jacob, Margaret, Philena, Susan and Lena. The junior
William Sutton died from the effect of wounds received while serving as
a Union soldier during the Civil War. Hiram M. Brown is an earnest
■member of the Baptist church, of which he has been a deacon for many
years, and is now serving as a deacon in the congregation of the First Bap-
tist church at Flint.

40 GKNESEE COUNfY, MICHIGAN.

Grant J. Brovvii was reared on his fathers farm in Flushing township,
receiving his elementary education in the Brown school house in the vicinity
of his home, supplementing the same by a course in the high school at
Flushing, after which he took a cour.se in a business college at Flint. Ik-
taught district school for one term and then for a time worked in a general
store. In 1898 he entered the employ of the First State Savings Bank at
Flushing and was thus engaged for about two years and six months, or until
the organization of the Peoples State Bank at tliat place, when he was made
assistant cashier of the latter institution. He remained with that bank for
about five years and in 1906 was appointed state bank examiner, which
lX)sition he held for three years, at the end of which time he resigned and
became one of the organizers of the Industrial Savings Bank of Flint, being
elected cashier of the same, a position he has held ever since. The Indus-
trial Savings Bank was organized in 1909 with a capital stock of $50,000.
It now has a capital and surplus of $500,000 and total assets of $3,400,000.
The main ofifice of the bank is in the Flint P. Smith building, but a branch
office is maintained at the corner of Hamilton and Industrial avenues and
another on St. John street. Mr. Brown is a Republican and has ever taken
a good citizen's interest in the political affairs of his home county, but has
never been included in the office-seeking class.

On May, 1897, Grant J. Brown was united in marriage to Daisy Parnie-
lee, who was born at Flushing, this county, April 15, 1872, daughter of
George and Elean.or (Smith) Parmelee, the former of whom was born at
Sylvania, Ohio, ]\Iay 30, 1839, and the latter at Flushing. George Parmelee
was a son of Thomas J. and Chloe (Atwell) Parmelee, who came to Michi-
gan in pioneer days and settled in Saginaw county. Later they came to
this county and located at Flushing, where they spent the remainder of their
lives, Thomas J. Parmelee dying on .Vpril 25, 1884, at the age of eighty-
three. His wife had preceded him to the grave, her death having occurred
in 1879. They were the parents of ten children, Mrs. Phena James, Oliver.
George, Thomas, Martha, Reuben, Erastus and three who died in youth.
Thomas J. Parmelee took an active interest in public affairs and served as
justice of the peace, as township treasurer and in various other public capa-
cities. George Parmelee was a miller and farmer and was for years one
of the best-known citizens of Flushing. He dieil in 1892. at the age of
fifty-three years, and hi^ widow sur\i\ed liim fi\e years, she also being
fifty-three years of age at the time of her death in 1897. They were the
parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Brown was the third in order of
birth, the others being Sarah, Eber G. (deceased), Harrv and Clara Irene.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. • 47

Mrs. Parmelee was a daughter of Simeon and Sarah (Lawton) Smith,
natives of New York state, who came to Michigan in the early days of the
settlement of this part of the state, settling first in the village of Groveland,
in Oakland county. In 1839 they came to Genesee county, settling at Flush-
ing, and were prominently connected with the early history and upbuilding
of that place. Simeon Smith for years was justice of the peace in and for
Flushing township and held other public offices. He and his wife were the
l)arents of five children, Judith, Angeline, Elizabeth, Eleanor and Fred.

To Grant J. and Daisy (Parmelee) Brown three children have been
born, Florence Marg-uerite, Robert Parmelee and Donovan Millard. Mr.
and Mrs. Brown are memliers of the First Baptist church at Flint and Mr.
Brown is chairman of the board of trustees of the same. He is a Royal
Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of Genesee Lodge, Flint
Chapter and Genesee \^alle\- Commandery. and takes a warm interest in
Masonic affairs.

REV. HOWARD 1). BORLEY.

Howard D. Borley, a prominent minister of Flint, was torn on a farm
near Strathroy, Ontario, Canada, on May 23, 1874, being the son of William
E. and Jane (Donaldson) Borley. William E. and Jane Borley were natives
of Ontario, he having been Iiorn in Middlesex county and she at Peter-
bore lugli. Hiev were the parents of the following children: William Ernest,
a plivsician .>f Mishawaka, Indiana; Ivlgar and Cecil, twins: Edgar is a
physician at South Bend, Indiana, and Cecil is a dentist at Hallock, Minne-
sota: Howard D., a minister at Flint; Hilary Hazel, who died at the age of
eighteen years, and Ivan S., of Flint.

William E. Borley, who received his educati(jn in Canada, there grew to
manhood and was a farmer while a resident of that province, came to Mish-
awaka, Indiana, in 1903, where he and Mrs. Borley still reside. Mr. Borley,
having received a good education, was always interested in education.

John Borley and wife, the paternal grandparents of Howard D. Borley,
were natives of England, having been born near FJirmingham. They came
to Canada and located on a farm near London, where they died, l)eing over
eighty years of age. They were the jiarents of the following children: Will-
iam, Jane, Sarah Elizal)eth, Louisa and Melinda. The maternal grand-
parents were of Scotch-Irish .stock. The grandfather settled near Peter-
borough, Canada, and there he and his wife died at an advanced age. They

48 GENESEF COUNTY. iricin(;AX.

were the parents of the following children: Jolin. Uavid. Mars. Benjamin.
Stewart, Mary, Martha, Deborah. Jane and Clotilda.

Howard D. Borley was reared in Middle.sex county, Canada, and spent
hi.s early life near the village of ]\lunnt Brydges. Here he received his
early education. After completing the high school course at Glencoe, he
continued his educational work at Strathroy Model School, and then for
three years was a teacher in the public schools. After completing his work
as a teacher, he studied at Strathroy Collegiate Institute and later received
tlie degree of Bachelor of Arts from Queens College at Kingston. He then
entered the theological seminary, from which he graduated in 1904. After
taking post-graduate work at the University of Chicago, he accepted the
charge of the I'irst Presbvterian clnircii at Big Kapids. Miciiigan, where he
remained until lyio. At this time he was called tu a ciuircli at Michigan
City, where he remained until May 1, 1913. when he accepted the call to his
present charge, the First Presbyterian church of Flint.

On June 6, 1906, Howard D. Borley was miited in marriage to Ger-
trude Robertson, the daughter of Jdhn Robertson and wife. To this union
one son has been born, John R.

Reverend Borle\- is a minister uf much force and eloquence and is
recognized as one of the jiruminent ministers of the city. His work is well
received and he has done much for the religious life of Flint. Fraternall}'.
Mr. Borley is a member of the Im-cc and Accepted Masons and has taken
the chapter degrees, as well as being a memlier nf the Knights Templar and
the Shrine.

RFW TIMOTHY JOSEPH MURPHY.

For mure than thirty-live years the Rev. b'ather Timothy Joseph Mur-
phy, pastor of St. Michael's Catholic church, has lived and labored among
the people of I'lint, where his devoted and zealous services in the work of
his Master have materially contributed to the growth and strength of Catho-
licism herealjout. Plis present parish is an old one, ha\ing been established
in 1840, the first edifice having lieen erected soon after the organization of
the parish, while the i>re-cnt structure was built during the years 1882 and
1883, under the direct sujiervision of Father ]\lurphy.

Timothy Joseph Murphy was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, May 4,
1848, son of Jeremiah and Margaret ( Dacy I Murph\ . His early education
was received in his nati\e city and after completing tiie curriculum of the
ordinary grades he l)ecant(.' a studeiU in AH Hallows College. Dublin, from

^ Jlj?l

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 49

\\hich he \\a? graduated. In 1870 Father Murphy came to the United States
and after landing in New York at once made his way to Detroit and was
ordained there hy Bishop Borgess. January 30, 1871, and was immediately
sent to Bay City as assistant to Father Schutzes, of St. James church, a
capacity in which he served for three months. Later he was transferred to
the [uirish at Grand Haven, Ottawa county, this state, becoming the first
priest of that parish, and there he remained until he was transferred to Flint
in June, j88o. Father Murphy's first act of importance at Flint was the
erection of the splendid brick church of St. Michael's, which took the place
of the old frame church. St. Michael's church is an edifice fifty by one
hundred and fifty feet in dimensions, has a seating capacity of eight hun-
dred, cost thirt}- thousand dollars and is handsomely furnished throughout,
a fitting place of worship and prayer.

Even before leaving his native land. Father Murphy had been a great
admirer of American people and institutions and, although he has never
lost his love for Ireland, he is a truly patriotic citizen of the United States,
like his namesake, late an American priest in Rome, w'ho, upon being told by
some Americans who had an audience with the Pope, that they hoped he
\\ould be sitting in the papal chair upon their next visit, responded, "That
ma}- be, but if 1 e\er get there 1 will hang the American flag on the outer
walls of the \atican." Father Murphy is also a good "mixer," and many
of his most earnest friends are found among those whose rehgious views
may not conform to his teachings, but whose hearts are bound to his by ties
as broad as humanity itself. He pays close attention to the development of
public affairs in Ireland and has enlisted hundreds of Americans in the
cause of Irish home rule. He has taken two trips to his old home in Erin
and intends to make another if he lives to see the full freedom of the land
of his birth. It is his dearest wish that complete home rule may be brought
about through a bond of love and give Ireland a place like unto that held by
the state of ^Michigan in this Union. On the occasion of the celebration at
(irand Haven in 1876 of the centennial of American independence, Father
Murphy was selected i)\- the citizens of that city to read the Declaration of
Independence, and he at that time expressed the wish that he might live to
hear read and realized the declaration of independence of his own land.

In every section in which has labors have Ijeen prosecuted, Father Mur-
phy his displayed the same energy and zeal which have endeared him to his
parishioners in Flint. Through his arduous exertions he has secured the
erection of several churches, and the places of worship at Grand Haven,
(4a)

50 GENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Dennison and Berlin dwc tlieir l>cin_i; id him. In 1903 he erected what is
locally known as Fatiier Murphy'-^ ilali. at a cn>t of eighteen thousand dol-
lars, fourteen thousand dollars of which amount was given him by friends
of other creeds than the ("atholic. this l)eing hut one evidence of the great
love and reverence felt f"r him generally herealxmt. leather Murphy's Hall
lias a handsome auditorium, with a seating ca])acity ul seven hundred, and
is fitted in modern style, having a stage and the usual accessories. The ba.se-
ment is arranged with a kitchen and a large banquet hall, together with a
smoking room. The policy of Father INIurphy is to let as large a benefit as
possible accrue from the advantages 01 such an assembly hall and its use is
thrown open, to all churches alike, both Catholic and Protestant. Broad-
minded and compassionate in his views, I'aihcr ^lurphy is always an invited
guest at important functions and on numerous occasions has s^wken. on invi-
tation, in Protestant churches. In tliis connection, the biographer is per-
mitted to present here a httle poem, the author of which, a minister of the
Presbyterian church, is one of b'ather Murphy's dearest and most apprecia-
tive friends. This was sent him on the occasion ot the silver jubilee banquet
given in bis honor :

10 lATIIKK Ml lil'lIY A IMT Ol SAVli; TO lll.s ilKAT OX .MCJMiAV .NU.IIT.

My geiiiHl friend :inrl brother,

I clii) your .iolly phiz
Kroiu this night's Diiilii Joiiiiuil.

And, homely as it is.
1 :im right glad to see it.

And, Father, note the news
That Flint will do you honor;

And I cannot refuse
To give myself the pleasure

Of jingling just a bit —
If I ean only manage

To get the hang of it.

M.y Pegasus is balliy.

And now and then he kicks;
And sometimes when I trust him

He leaves me in a fix —
For if I try to force him

To jingle, off he goes.
And dumps me and my measure

Into a ditch of prose.
But, after all, he's handy.

Like your Kentucky bay.
To lug a portly preacher

Along a ilnsty way.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 5 1

To (Irop the flassic figure —

When lacking thought. I ihynio it ;
The hill of seu.se is sandy,

And nonsense heliis me climl) it.
Let me eoniiji'atulMte you !

And if the Mouday night
He "mong the hain)iest of life —

Old man, 'twill serve you right !
Heaven bless you with the best

Its larder can provide you;
And, better still, with loving friends

To eat and drinlv beside you.

.May life he all illumined

E'eu to its latest page ;
And. like your wine, be better

By reason of its age.
May all the royal bounty

Your generous hand has given.
Return to you in fullness.

Anticipating Heaven.
.\nd when the sun is setting

Behind the Golden West,
(iod give you happy welcome

Into His blessed rest.

— KeV. ClI.VliLES HU.NTINft.

Marshall, Michigan. Saturd.-iy night. .Tanuary '.), ].S!)7.

Not alone has Father 'Murphy materially increased the membership of
!iis congreo^ation, but in whatever community he has labored has succeeded
in raising the standard of the church, increased its usefulness and added to
the enthusiasm, zeal and fervor of its members. The church at Flint now
has a congregation of aljout fifteen hundred persons, who, under Father
Murphy's guidance and counsel, are endeavoring to lead wholesome Christ-
ian lives. The development of St. Michael's parish has been extraordinary.
AA'hen he first came. Father IMurphy was able also to take charge of the mis-
sion at Hazelton. 1)ut tlie memliership of that mission increased so rapidly
that it became necessary to appoint a priest to that charge who could devote
his entire time to its affairs. In connection with the beautiful churdi of St.
Michael's is found a handsome parochial school, where about two hundred
.uid eighty pupils are receiving broad and thorough instruction from six holy
women. Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. .Adjacent to the school
is the Sisters" House and not far therefrom is located the priest's residence.
The entire group of l)uildings, which add materially to the architectural

52 GKNESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

beauty of Flint, are found on Saginaw, Fifth and Chippewa -treets and the
structures are surrounded bv handsome, well-kept .t^rounds.

It would be dilFicult to iind an individual who has gained in deeper
tlegree the affection of his fellow-men or the love and reverence of his people
than leather Murphy. With a happy combination of personal sympathy and
compassion, with a strong strain of practicability in material things, he has
established himself deeply in tlie hearts of his people and in the confidence of
the communitA' at larac

JOSIAH DALLAS DORT.

It has been said that a city is great, not from the standpoint of a large
population, but according to the relative importance of its manufactures and
commerce and the attention paid to the welfare of all its inhabitants. Flint
has long been a center of middle West manufactures. However, it is to a
comparatively small group of men that the city's industrial prosperity has
been due, and during the last thirty years none has been more steadily influen-
tial in promoting development in the city than ]. Dallas Dort, who, by com-
mon consent, is now one of the dominant figures in the business life of
Michigan. As a youth he entered upon his career with only the advantage^
of an ordinary education, .starting life in a humble station, and followed u])
the opportunities that opened before him with industry and intelligent
energy. Now, in the prime of life, with powers ripened and matured, Mr.
Dort is the possessor of an enviable fortune, the directing head of .-several
large industries and a vital force in both business and civic affairs of his
community.

Josiah Dallas Dort was born in Inkster, Michigan. February 2. 1861,
a son of Josiah and ALircy (Jones-Straight) Dort. natives respectively of
Vermont and New Hampshire, the father dying at Inkster in 1871. at the
age of sixt)--one. while the mother passed away at Flint, in 1897. Josiah
Dort came with his parents o\erland from his New Iingland home to the
state of Ohio, leaving the rest of the family there and continuing his journey
west until he arrived at the place known as Dearborn during the late thirties.
.\t Dearlxjrn he and his brother. Titus, engaged in the manufacture of
brick, furnishing the material for the United States arsenal at that point.
Josiah Dort was appointed postmaster of that place and al.so acted in the
capacity of agent for the Michigan Central Railway, whose line had just

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 53

been completed. After several years he moved to Moulin Rouge, now
known as Inkster, and became identified with merchandising. Mrs. Marcy
(Jones) Straight, who became his wife, was an educated woman who had
taught school in New Hampshire and at Westport, New York. Josiah Dort
was a notable man in many ways, a typical country squire, prominent Mason,
a lifelong member of the Methodist church, active in politics as a Democrat
and Whig and among the leaders of his parties in the state, was on terms
of intimacy and a close associate of such men as Zach Chandler, Henry P.
Baldwin, John J. Bagley, G. N. Lothrup, who were his personal friends.
He acquired considerable property through his able management and at the
time of his death was in comfortable circumstances.

The only child of his parents, Josiah Dallas Dort was ten years of age
when his father died. His education was acquired by attending the district
schools, the \Vayne high school and the State Normal at Ypsilanti. Leav-
ing school, he helped his mother carry on the business, the burden of which
she had resolutely borne from the time of her husband's death. She herself
was a most capable business woman, but had her double responsibilities for
only a few years, since her son proved himself more than ordinarily capable
and assumed all the weighty responsibilities of business. The mother was
a devout Baptist, had decided Puritanical principles and was a woman with
a nature serene, cheerful, loving, teautiful and tireless. She so ordered her
household that, although great riches were never present, poverty ^was
unheard of and her son was reared wisely and well, so as to adopt honestv
and integrity, and shun anything like idleness, extravagance or dissipation.

^Ir. Dort, at the age of fifteen, left his school work to enter the emplov-
ment of a crockery firm in Ypsilanti and three years later transferred his
services to a similar firm in Jackson, where he remained a period of two
years. Alxiut that time his father's estate was settled and in iS8i he engaged
as clerk at UMnt for Whiting & Richardson, hardware merchants. Two
years ater he v>'as employed by the firm of Hubbard & Wager and for one
year he was with Morley Brothers at Saginaw. Having been thrifty and
economical, and saving of his earnings, with a little help from the estate
he was then able to return to Flint and engaged in the hardware business as
a co-partner with James E. Bussy. It was not until September, 1886, that
Mr. Dort entered the field in which his greatest success and accomplishment
as a manufacturer and business man has been won. At that time, with
William C. Durant, he started in a modest way the manufacture of road
carts, employing al)ont twenty men. This subsequently grew into the largest

54 GENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

business for tlic iiiamifacture of horse-drawn pleasure and business veliicle.'-
in the state, and became the parent of the principal industries of Flint.

Mr. Dort is president and acting directing iiead of the Dort Motor Car
Company, the Durant-Dort Carriage Company and its allied institutions,
and also one of the founders of the Imperial Wheel Company, Flint \'arnish
Works, Flint Axle Works, the Dominion Carriage Company,. Limited, of
Toronto, Canada, the Blount Carriage and Buggy Company, of Atlanta.
Georgia, and the Pine Bluff Spoke Company, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Among other industries Mr. Dort was largely instrumental in establishing,
should be mentioned the Weston-Mott Axle Company, the McCormick Har-
ness Company and the Copeman Electric Stove Company. Through the
interests of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, Mr. Dort's was one of
the largest interests in the Buick x\utomobile Company and the General
Motors Company. These institutions thus named employ many thousand
of workmen, and during the days before the advent of the automobile the
vehicle and accessory plants had upward of two thousand men on their
payrolls.

For several years Mr. Dort carried on as a side line a fine stock farm,
which was devoted to the breeding of prize-winning Hackney horses, and
he is at this time a holder of a King George medal and other American and
Canadian trophies.

In these days of almost constant strife i>etween labor and capital, it is
worthy to note that these troubles are totally unknown in the Dort institu-
tions. Such favorable conditions may be largely accredited to Mr. Dort's
lionorable dealings with the men in his employ. He inaugurated a policy
of interesting employees in the stock of his companies and a .system of
lovalty payments for long service. Mr. Dort was instrumental in the organ-
ization of the Flint Factories Mutual Benefit Association, a splendid Work-
men's Club in connection with the same, and of the Flint Associated Fac-
tories organization, sustaining a workmen's supplemental compensation
department. He is a director of the Michigan Workmen's Compensation
Mutual Insurance Company, of Detroit, an association composed of Mich
igan manufacturers for the purpose of making such payments as workmen
arc entitled to under the Michigan workmen's compensation act and whicli
is one of the best institutions of its kind in the United States.

It may be .said that Mr. Dort's idea in acquiring wealth is that it may
be used as a means for greater ser\ice, it being well understood that his
income is largely utilized for the common good. He is active in charitable

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 55

work and has donated liberally to hospitals, churches and other ])uh!ic institu-
tions, seldom refusing aid to any worthy object.

Mr. Dort has long been identified with civic activities and, although
steadfastly refusing public office, as well as honorary positions on various
state boards, has served his people in the line of public utility. One of his
best contributions to the beaut}' of I'Mint is the public park system, which
when completed will cover eight miles of parkway and completely surround
the city of Flint, the park and boulevard following the banks of Flint river.
For this notable improvement Mr. Dort had the place drawn at his ovv'u
expense and, as the enterprise is now fairly launched as a result of his earnest
and untiring efforts, its success is practically assured at no distant date.

Mr. Dort is a director in the Genesee County Savings Bank of Flint,
and first vice-president of the Board of Commerce. His guidance and
leadership in large business affairs are constantly sought and he is an
ex-president of the Carriage Builders National Association, vice-president
of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and in everj^ way a business
executive with a broad mind and a thorough understanding of modem con-
ditions and ideas. Mr. Dort was a delegate to the Conservation Congress
held in the White House at Washington in 1907. He was one of the prin-
cipal factors in drafting the law creating the Michigan railroad commission.

First of all in its claim on his attention and energies are important and
varied industrial interests. But when these claims are properly satisfied,
Mr. Dort never refuses his consideration and aid to those other activities
which are not the less important as features of a well balanced life. Mr.
Dort is a patron of art, a lover of music, literature and architecture, an
upholder of the best ideals and standards in social life. Like all virile,
energetic men, he gives a part of his attention to outdoor sports and is an
enthusiastic golfer and automobilist. His club relations include membership
in the Flint, Country, Detroit Athletic, Detroit, Detroit Golf clubs and he
is also a thirty-second-degree Mason and Knight Templar, and a member of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious affiliations are
with the Episcopal church and he is now a member of the board of vestry-
men of St. Paul's church at Flint.

Mr. Dort has been twice married. His first union was with Nellie
Matilda Bates, who died at Phoenix, .Arizona, in March, 1900, and was laid
to rest in Glenwood cemetery, Flint. 'J\vo children were bom to this union :
Ralph, born November 11, 1891, at Flint, a student at Princeton University,
who was married, Octoljer 15, 19 13, to Helen Wilson, of Pittsburgh, Penn-
svlvania, and is now engaged as advertising manager of the Dort Motor Car

56 GENESEE COUXTY, MICHIGAN.

Company at Flint, where he resides; and Dorothy, born Septemljer 12, 1893,
at Flint, a graduate of jMiss Chamberlain's school of Boston, Massachusetts.
Mr. Dort'.s second marriage occurred on May 8, 1906, when he was united
with Marcia Webb, of jMackinac, Michigan, daughter of !\Iajor Cliarles A.
Webb, at one time commandant at Fort Mackinac. Three cliildrcn have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dort : Dallas W^eblj. Iiorn FebruarA' 17, 1007;
Margery, born INIay ig, iQii- and David Truscott, horn June 7, 191 6.

EDWIN GRIN WOOD, LL. D.

Edwin Orin Wood, editor of the "History of Genesee County'" and
author of "Historic Mackinac," and one of the best known citizens of
Michigan, was born at Goodrich, Genesee coimty, Michigan, October 29.
r86i. His parents were Michigan pioneers, Thomas Pannalee Wood and
Paulina M. Wood, both of whom came from western New York. The
grandfather and great-grandfather of Thomas P. Wood served in the Re\o-
lutionary War. The parents of the subject of this sketch lived togetlier
sixtjf-two years and are buried in the Goodrich cemetery.

Edwin O. Wood attended the public schools in Goodrich, studying Latin
and Greek outside of scliool hours with Reverend Sanderson, a Congrega-
tional minister, as tutor; later he put in one year at tlie Saginaw City high
school. Eeaving scliool, he was a clerk in the general stores of D. M.
Scriver, Seth B. Pixley and D. W. and William Campbell at Goodrich ; also
in the store of Levi Campbell at Metamora, Michigan. While with D. M.
Scriver he learned the tinner's trade. For five years he was a clerk in tlie
clothing store of George \\'. Buckingham, in Flint, Michigan. In 1885 he
was appointed a railway mail clerk, but resigned tn accept a position as
traveling salesman for the wliolesale grocery firm of A\'. J. Gould & Com-
pany, Detroit, remaining five years, following which he was the Michigan
representati\e nf Hackett, Carhart & Company, wholesale clothiers of New
^'ork.

In Marcii, iSi)^, lie was appointed a special agent of the Cnited States
treasurv l)v Secretarv of the Treasury John G. Carlisle. Tn May of tliat
vear he was assigned to special work on the Pacific coast, lie .seized the
steamsliip "Haylien Republic" for violation of the revenue and immigra-
tion laws. A lore tlian thirtv persons were indicted iiy a special grand jury

GKNESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 57

called at Mr. Wood's reque-^l. The steamship "Haytien Republic" was con-
fiscated by the governnient. The case was tried in the United States district
court at Portland, Oregon, appealed to both the United States circuit court
of appeals at San Francisco and the United States supreme court and
affirmed by both of these tribunals. It was shown in the trial that the
snuiggling ring, which included federal officials and the owners of the Mer-
chants Steamship Company, of which the "Haytien Republic" was a unit,
had defrauded the government out of three hundred sixty thousand dollars
in a period of seven months b}- the smuggling of opium, and that more than
one thousand five hundred Chinese laborers had lieen admitted into tlic
United States illegally. The collector of customs had recei\'ed fifty dollars
per head for landing these Mongolians, or a total of seventy-five thousand
dollars. Iloth the collector and special agent of the United States treasur\-
for that district, Charles J. Mulkey, were convicted, as well as a score of
their associates. 'Die trials of these cases attracted nation-wide attention,
the operations of this gang of conspirators equalling in magnitude the
"v.hiske}- ring" of a fe\N- years previous. Mr. \\'ood recei\-ed the personal
thanks of I'resident Cleveland and the secretary of the treasury in recogni-
tion id his services in these cases, judge George H. Durand, of Flint.
.Michigan, was. at the request of Mr. Wood, appointed .special counsel for
the government and had charge of the prosecution. Later, Mr. Wood brought
to light a defalcation of more than forty thousand dollars in a United States
bonded warehouse in Boston, and also a shortage of three thousand dollars
in the cashier's office oi the Detroit custom house.

lu 1897 -^Ji'- ^^ i>iid resigned as special agent, although the position had
been extended into the civil service and he had been especially requested to
remain by ( len. (). C. .Spaulding. assistant secretar)- of the treasury.

. .Mr. Wood was one of the foiinders of the Foyal Guard, a fratemal
l)enef)ciar\- society and for many years was its president. He was chosen
president of the X.'itional Fraternal I'ress .\<sociation and one year later
president of the National Fraternal Congress.

lie served as chairman of the Genesee county Democratic committee
and in i(>04 was elected chairman of the Democratic state central committee.
In rgo8 he was elected a member of the Democratic national committee, re-
elected in igiJ. and again re-elected in a state-wide primary in iqi6. He
was a delegate to the l")eniocratic national conventirni in Denver in 1908, a
delegate-at-large and chairman of the delegation in \()\2, and a delegate-at-
large ag:u'n in [f)i'). l-'ollowing the national convention at .St. I^uis. he

58 CENESEK. COUXTV, M ICII IC.A \.

resigned Iruin tlie naiiunal coiiuniltee in June, igi(), his lJUsines^^ rei|uii"in^
that a large ])art if his time Ix- sjient in New York City.

Mr. Wood was appointed Iw Governor Fred M. Warner, of Michigan,
as one of the commission to purchase a siKer service for the battleship
"Michigan." He was tendered an appoiulnient as a member of the Michi-
gan state tax commission by Governor Chase S. Osijorn, but declined. He
.served as president of the Genesee C'ounty Pioneer and Historical Society
and upon the creation of the Micliigan Historical Commission in 1913 was
named as one of the commission by Govenior ^^'fK>(lbridge X. Ferris. In
U)i6 he was elected president of the commission.

In 19 1 3 Mr. Wood was appointed a member of the Mackinac Lsland
state park commission bx- Governor Ferris and served as vice-president of
the commission, resigning in September, 1916. He was instrumental in the
jjlacing of a bronze tablet on Mackinac Island to Jean Nicolet, the first white
man to set foot on Michigan and the old Northwest territory, also a memor-
ial tablet in honor of Lewis Cass, one of Michigan's foremost statesmen.
Mr. W'ood erected a memorial fountain on Mackinac Island in memory of
his son; it is known as Dwightwood Spring and was dedicated with impres-
sive ceremonies. Fie ga\e to the state museum at Mackinac Island a valu-
able historical collection.

Mr. Wood was named by (io\ernor berris as a delegate to the centen-
ary peace commission in IQ14. In 1(^5 he was one of the board of arbitra-
tion representing I'"lint in the matter of lixing the price to l>e charged for
gas. As a result ■){ this arbitration the price of gas was reduced from one
dollar to eighty-fi\x- cents.

In i()io Mr. ^\'ood was elected a vice-president of the General Motors
Company, but resigned when the control was placed in the hands of a voting
trust. In 1915 he again became connected with Mr. W. C. Durant and was
elected early in 1016 a director in the Chevrolet Motor Company.

Mr. Wood initiated and secured the required stock subscriptions which
brought about the founding of the Fulustrial Savings Bank of IHint. Michi-
gan.

Mr. Wood is a Knights Templar and thirty-third-degree Mason. He
was one of the comniiUee wiiich raised the funds to build the Masonic Tem-
])le in Flint and was a nieml)er of its board of trustees from its inception
until i()i5, when he resigned. Fit is a member of the Mystic Shrine, the
F.Iks and various other fraternal societies. He was president of the Pioneer
(niard of Michigan Sovereign Consistory and is a member of the "Old
( iiiard" of Genesee N'alley ( 'onuuandery. Knights Templar,

GENESEE COUNrV, MICHIGAN. 59

Mr. Wood is a .stutlent of Afichigan and Old Northwest history and
lias been a collector of early maps for many years. His special Old North-
west library is one of the largest private collections in the country. He is
the author of m:iny papers on the Old Northwest and of Historic Mackinac.
In 1916 the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him
by Notre Dame University in recognition of his service along historical
lines.

Mr. Wood was married in 1889 to luiiily Crocker, daughter of Slciilien
and Prudence Crocker, pioneer residents of Genesee county. Four children
blessed their union, Dwight Hulbert, who was killed by a fire wagon in
1905 at the age of fourteen years: .\lbert Crocker, Leland Stanford and
Mary B. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the Episcopal church, he
serving on the vestry of Trinity church at Mackinac Island.

He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and the Detroit Ath-
letic Club. Although a member of the Episcopal church, Mv. W'ood has a
profound respect for the work accomplished by the Catholic church and on
every public occasion commends its influence for good. He dedicated the
"History of Genesee County" to Rev. T. J. Murphy, and his work, "His-
toric Mackinac," to Rt. Rev. Monsignor Frank A. O'Brien, 1. 1.. D., lx)th
life-long friends.

Mr. Wood was a member of the committee appointed by the city of
Flint to secure the new postoffice building. His associates \-,cic \\\ C.
Durant, John J- Carton and Judge George E. Taylor.

The fund necessaiy to secure, a life-size painting of Governor Ferris
for presentation to the state of Michigan, was secured through the initial
etTorts of Mr. Wood, more than one thousand two hundred dollars being
contributed b}' twelve hundred citizens, m^ one being jiermitted to gi\e more
than one dollar.

At the celebration of the Golden Jubilee marking the <^ftieth aimiver-
sary of the incorporation of the city of Flint, in 1905, Mr. W'ood was chair-
man of the executive committee. He was one of the original IxKird of
directors of the Flint Improvement League, now the Flint Board of Com-
merce. During his term as mayor of Flint, Bruce J. McDonald appointed
Mr. Wood a member of the police commission. He has been active and
public spirited in everything pertaining to the advancement of the best inter-
ests of the city, county and state.

6o GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

SAMUP:I. SIDNEY STJ'IWART.

Samuel Sidney Stewart, president and treasurer of the W. F. Stewart
Company, manufacturers of automobile ix)dies, at Mint, is a native son of
that city and has lived there all his life except four years in Pontiac. He
was bom on May 14, i8~6, son of . William Francis and Olive (Wyrick)
Stewart, the former of whom was JDorn in the dominion of Canada and the
latter in the state of Ohio. Olive (Wyrick) Stewart was the daughter of
Andrew and Julia ( Kibler) "\\'yrick, who were the parents of five children,
John, Olive, lulwin, Elizabeth ;uk1 Julia.

William F. Stewart was i)orn on a farm near the city of London, in
the province of Ontario, Canada, the second of the eight children boni to his
parents, natives of Scotland, who emigrated to Canada and settled near Lon-
don, where they spent the rest of their lives, the others of their children
being John, Samuel, James, Charles. Sarah, Eliza and jMartha. Though
reared on a farm, William F. Stewart's tastes in the way of occupation ran
in another direction and he early became apprenticed to a carriage-maker
in London, where he became thoroughly grounded in the details of his craft.
Ijecoming a skilled and \ery competent workman After learning his trade,
he went to New ^'ork Cit>- and for some time worked there, later coming to
Michigan and locating at Mint, where he entered the employ of W. A. Pater-
son and worked in the hitter's carriage .shop for several years. At the end
of that time he opened a shop of his own and set up in business for himself,
in a small wav, on the site of the present Walsh building, at the comer of
Saginaw and Detroit streets, where for several years he engaged in the
manufacture of buggy Ixjdics. He then moved to Pontiac, where he estab-
lished a sim.ilar factory, but i)resently returned to Flint and resumed the
manufacture of buggy liodies. occuii>ing the toj) floor (if the old Beardsley &
Gillies planing-mill. His burliness quickly outgrew the cramped quarters
he had there and he built a plant on Second street antl enlarged his facilities.
That plant was destroyed Ivy fire in i8q2. but Mr. Stewart immediatel\-
rebuilt on a larger scale and, his business continuing to expand, he presently
bought the P.eardsley & Gillies plant, which he styled his "Xo. 2" factoiy.
the Second street plant lieing known as "Xo. 1," and continued to operate
the two plants very successfully. In 1900 Mr. Stewart found it necessary
again to enlarge his facilities for handling his growing business and he built
a "No. 3'" plant at the foot of Harriet street and in 1907 a "No. 4" plant
was erected for the exclusive manufacture of automobile bodies. Ir the
meantime, in i8qS, the business was incorporated under the firm n.anv ■>{

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 6l

The \V. F. Stewart Company. After 1900 W. V. .Stewart gradually retired
from the active affair.s of his Ijusine.ss, turning- the management of the same
over to his son, and lived jtractically retired the closing years of his life, his
death occurring on May 20. 1911, he then heing sixty-five years of age. In
addition to his extensive manufacturing interests, Mr. Stewart owned a farm
of three hundred and sixty acres the old Vose farm, just east of Flint, and
was largely engaged in the raising of live stock and in dairying, taking great
interest in the place, which he called "VVoodside Dairy Farm." He also was
a member of the board of directors of the Union Trust and Savings Kank
of Flint and was in other ways interested in the business activities of his
home town. He was a Republican and ever ga\e a good citizen's attention
to local civic affairs, but was not an office seeker. He was reared in the
Church of England and his wido\\-, who still survives him, is a member of
St. Paul's Episcopal church. She was born in Ohio and was but a girl wlien
her parents came to Michigan in the early days of the settlement of this sec-
tion of the state. To William F. Stewart and wife two sons were born, the
subject of this biographical sketch ha\ing a brotlier, W'illiam E. Stewart,
of No. 903 East Court street, Flint.

Samuel Sidney Stewart was reared in Flint, the city of his birth, attend-
ing the public schools of his home town and early learning' the details of
his father's business, working in the shop on Saturdays and during school
vacations. When fourteen years of age he quit school and went to work
in the factor.-, working at the bench for about two years and thoroughly
familiarizing himself with the details of the business. He then returned to
.sciiool for a time and later was given a place in the Union Trust and Sav-
ings Bank, where he remained for nearly three years. At the end of that
time he was made assistant to the general manager of tlie manufacturing
plant of W. .'\. I'aterson & Company and was thus engaged until he becaii'f
associated with the W. V. Stewart Company. Upon the death of his father,
he succeeded the latter as president and treasurer of the W. F. Stewart
Company and continues in diat capacity as the active directing force of the
extensive manufacturing concern. When he became connected with the con-
cern it was devoted wholly to the wood-working side of carriage making,
but, since the death of the elder Stewart, has been given over exclusively
to the manufacture of metal Ijodies for automobiles, the output of the plant
for 19 1 6 being about forty thousand bodies and continually growing. The
concern is incorporated, with a capital and surplus of about tiirce Iiundred
thousand dollars and employs about five hundred persons. Mr. Stewart
gi\'es consideralile attention to the general business activities of his home

62 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

town, in aildition to the manag^enient of his large manufacturing concern,
and is a member of the board of directors of the Union Trust and Savings
Bank and of the Industrial and Savings Bank of Flint. iNIr. Stewart is a
Scottish-Rite and Royal .Arch ^lason. a Knight Templar, a noble of the
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and a member of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of St. Paul's
Episcopal church and Ins wife is a member of the First Presbyterian church.
On Ma}- _'9. 190 1. that Samuel S. Stewart was united in marriage to
Emma Cristy Willett. who also was born in Flint, daughter of J. Leverett
and Rosa ( Durant ) \\'iiiett. She supplemented the course in the public
schools of that city by a course in a finishing school for young women in
Bo.ston. Her parents also were Ixith born in Flint, the Willetts and the
Durants having been prominent in the early life of that city. Dr. John
Willett, father of J. Leverett W'illett, was a pioneer physician in this part of
the state and also conducted a drug store at Flint. He and his wife were
the parents of four children, Frank. Leverett, John and X'ienna. Leverett
^Villett's young manhood was spent in his father's drug store and he later
became one of the iiest-known tra\eling salesmen in IMichigan. Both he and
his wife are now deceased, his death having occurred on February 17, 1912.
be then being about fifty- four years of age. They were the parents 131
three children. Mrs. Stewart having a brother. Wallace Willett, and a sister,
.\nna. Mrs. Stewart's maternal grandparents were William C. and Rebecca
(Crapo) Durant. natives of Massachusetts, the latter of whom was a daugh-
ter of former Governor Crapo, of Michigan, and who were the parents of
two children, her mother having had a brother, William C. Durant. To
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart one child has been born, a son, Sanniel Sidney Stewart,
jr. The Stewarts reside at Xo. 830 .Avon street.

I'RKD .\BP.OTT .\LDRICH.

I-"red .Abbott Aldrich. secretary-treasurer of the Durant-Dort Carriage
L'om])any. secretary-treasurer of the Dort Motor Car Company and secre-
tarv of the Copeman Electric Sto\e Company, all of Flint, is a native son
of Michigan and has lived in this state all his Rfe. He was born in Hamil-
ton township, \'an Buren county, this state, November lo, 1861, son of
.Almon Lyman and Dency (.Abbott) Aldrich. natives of New York state,
who later became well-known and influential residents of Flint.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ■ 63

Alnion Lyman Aldrich was graduated irom tlie University of Michi-
.i^an at Ann Arbor and engaged in the newspaper Inisiness at St. Joseph,
this state, where he was editor of a paper for three or four years, but in
1 869, lie moved to I'dint and Iiecame edit(ir and proprietor of the Pliitl
Globe, which he conducted for man\- years, or until failing health caused
him to retire. He was a stalwart Republican and his news])aper for years
exerted a wide influence in behalf of the principles of that party in this sec-
tion of the state. Mr. .Vldrich was ever interested in local public affairs
and at one time was a member of the board of trustees of the state school
for the deaf at Flint. In the later years of his life he traveled quite exten-
sively rmd after ;iwhile went to li\-e with his daughter, tlien living on a
ranch in Texas, and he ilied there on October 27, 1912, at the age of
seventy-eight years. His widow, who was born in New York state, daugh-
ter of Solomon and Lois (Hyde) AI:)I)ott, died at Ottawa, Kansas, Februar\-
19. 1916. G. L. .\ldrich for years served as vestryman of the Episcopal
church at I'lint. He and his w^fe were the parents of three children, Fred
.\. Aldrich, Ralph Leonard Aldrich, of Detroit, and Maud, wife of William
.\. Bass, of Ottawa, Kansas.

Fred .\. Aldrich was eight years old when his parents moved to Flint
and his elementary education was received in the public schools of that cit\-.
He supplemented his high-school work by a course in Phillips-Exeter .Acad-
emy, at ]^-xeter. New Hampshire, and passed entrance examination for Har-
vard College. He learned the jirinter's trade, and served on the staff of
his father's paper, the Globe, at I'Mint. On December 10, 1889, he entered
the employ of Durant & Dort, at that time operating ;i manufacturing con-
cern known as the Mint Road Cart Company, which, with a small force
of men, was engaged in the manufacture of road carts. Upon the incor-
poration of that company on September 9, 1893, Mr. Aldrich was elected
secretary (^f the compan\-. In September, 1900, that company was re-incor-
])orated as the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, for the manufacture of all
kinds of road vehicles. Upon the organization of the Dort Motor Car
Com])anv, in 1916, Mr. Aldrich was elected secretary-treasurer of the latter
company and has been secretary of the Copeman Electric Stove Companv
from its organization in 1910. He ailso is secretary and treasurer of
Glenwood Cemetery Association of Flint and a member of the board of
directors of the Genesee County Savings Bank.

On November 18, 1886, Fred A. .Mdrich was married to Annie E.
D. Chase, who was born at Flint, daughter of Zachcus ;uk1 Lucv (How-ard)
Chase, the former a native of the state of Massachusetts and the latter of

6.J GKNESEF COU-\TV, MICHIGAN.

this suite, bom at I'liiu. Zachcus C'liasi- died at the a.t;c nt tifty-nine years,
and Mrs. C"lia>c died in 1S85, when slie was a little past forty years of age.
They were the parents of four children. Charles S. ][.. .\nnie I'.. D., George
and Lucy. To .Mr. and .Mrs. .\ldrich one child has been born, a daughter.
Lucy Abbott, who married Xiel L P>erston, Jr., of Mint, and has one child,
a daughter, Elizabeth. .Mr. and Mrs. .Vklrich are members of the Episcopal
church, of which :\Ir. .\ldrich has been a vestryman and secretary for many
years. He is a member of h'lint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons:
of Washington Chapter Xo. 15, Royal Arch Masons, of Genesee Valley Com-
mandery No. 15, Knights Templar, of which he is a past commander, and for
the year of IQ16 was grand commander of Knights Templar of the state of
^fichigan. He is a thirty-seccMid-degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite, and a noljlc of the Ancient .\ral)ic Order of Nobles of the
;\Iystic Shrine. He also is a member of the Loyal Guard. He served twelve
years in the National Guard of the state of Michigan, and retired from
that service as first lieutenant and regimental f|uartermaster of the Third
Keiriment, Michigan .Xationrd Guard.

CHAIUT'.S TORRES' P.RIDGMAX.

Charle.-. Torrey Ihiilgman, president of the I'nion Trust and Sa\ings
Ijank of Flint and for many years one of the most energetic and influential
figures in the business and civic life of that city, is a native of Ohio, born
on a farm in the town of Huntsburg, in Geauga county, December 6, 1845.
He is a son of Charles and Julianna (Warren) Ikidgman, natives of Mas-
sachusetts, both of old .Xew l-lngland stock, who were the parents of three
sons who grew to maturity, Lewis Warren, \\'illiani Henry and Charles
Torrey, the latter of whom now alone sur\ives. The Bridgman family in
America was founded by James Bridgman, who came to this country from
iMigland about 1640 and settled in ^Lassachusetts, where he married a Ley-
man. According to a recent work on genealogy, the Bridgman ancestrj- is
traced back along a direct line to Hengst, King of the Sa.xons, 434 A. D.,
and along other lines to .\lfred the Great, the early Scottish kings anil
French kings, including Charlemagne and William the Conqueror. On the
Warren side the ancestry is traced back to the Warren and White families
that settled in New England about the same time the Bridgman family se-
cured a footing there, Elder Vv'hite h.aving been one of the early ministers

^^/3u

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 65'

of tlie Plymouth colony, and the Warrens tracing to Cotton Mather, the
eminent theologian of early New England, a family represented along simi-
lar lines in the present generation l)y Bishop Henry W. Warren, of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and In- \Villiam F. Warren, for many years
president of Boston University, cousins of Charles T. Bridgman.

Charles Bridgman, who was reared in Massachusetts, was a son of
Noah and Sarali (Webb) Bridgman, the former a native of Massachusetts
and the latter of Vermont. Noal> Bridgman was a cooper and became an
early settler in Ohio, where he spent his last days. He and his wife were
the parents of five children, crharles, Isaac, Lewis, Amanda and Lucinda.
Charles Bridgman married, in Afassachusetts, JwHana Warren, who was
born at Williamsburg, that state, daughter of Cotton Mather and Lois
(White) Warren, tlie former a descendant of Cotton Mather and the latter
of Elder White, of Plymouth colony. Cotton Mather Warren and his wife
spent all their days in Massachusetts. They were the parents of five chil-
dren, Mather, George. Juliana, Mrs. Bryant and Mrs. Seely. Mather War-
ren, the first-l)orn of these children, was the father of a famous family,
among his sons being Bishop Henry W. Warren, who was a noted Meth-
odist preacher in Philadelphia and Denver and who presided at the general
quadrennial conference of that church at Minneapolis in 1912, and William
F. Warren, who was for many years president of Boston University. Some
years after .their marriage, along in the latter thirties, Charles Bridgman
and his wife and the two children who were born to them in Massachusetts
moved into Ohio and settled in Himtsburg township, Geauga comity. There
Charles Bridgman entered a claim to a tract of "Congress land," on which
he established his home, and there he spent the rest of his life. Li addition
to his general farming he engaged in the manufacture of brooms, raising
the broom corn on his farm. He was a man of very strong convictions and
was an outspoken Abolitionist in the days before that cause had gained any
large degree of popularity, having been one of the two men in his home
township who cast their votes for the Abolition party in 1844. Lie and his
wife were members of the Congregational church. His wife died in 1873,
at the age of sixty-nine years, and he survived her about eight years, he
lieing eighty-one years of age at the time of his death, in 1881.

Charles T. Bridgman was reared on the paternal farm in Geauga

county, Ohio, and received his elementary education in the district school

in the neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by a course in a

private school and in the preparatorv department of the old Chicago Uni-

(5a)

66 GENESKF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

versity. Later he took a course in Russell's Military School at New Haven,
Connecticut, after which, in 1864, he came to Michigan and located at Flint,
where he l)egan clerking in the store of William L. Smith & Company and
was thus engaged for several years, or until 1871. In that year he liecame
a partner in the firm now known as Smith, Bridgman & Company, which
was incorporated in 1907, \\ith a capital stock of one hundred thousand
dollars, and of which Mr. Bridgman is secretary and treasurer and Walter
O. Smith, son of the late \Villiam L. Smith, president and general manager.
The store, one of the oldest established commercial concerns in this part
of the state, employs about one hundred clerks. In addition to his extensive
commercial interests, Mr. Bridgman has long been actively connected with
the banking interests of Flint and has also done his part in promoting the
best civic interests of the communit}-. When the Union Trust and Savings
Bank was established in 1893 ^^^- Bridgman was elected president of the
same and has ever since occupied that position. The capital stock of the
Union Trust and Savings Bank is one hundred thousand dollars, with a
surplus of one hundred twenty thousand dollars and footings of more tlian
three million dollars. Mr. Bridgman also has been honored I>y selection to
many positions of business trust, some of the largest estates ever probated
in Genesee county having had his services as administrator. In a civic
capacity he has ser\ ed as a member of the common council of Flint and for
six years was a member of the city board of education and president of
that board during the last two years of his incum]>ency, 1888-90. Mr.
Bridgman is a Republican and, socially, is a memljer of the Flint Country
Club and the Shakespeare Club, while for many years he has ijeen one of
the most active members of the Board of Commerce.

On September 13, 1870, at Caledonia, New York, Charles T. Bridg-
man was united in marriage to Sarah ]\IcKay, who was Iwrn at that place.
June 23, 1847, daughter of James E. and .Ann (Dean) McKay. Her
father was a native of the state of Pennsylvania and her mother of New
York. The^• were the parents of five children, of whom ]\Irs. Bridgman \\as
second in order of birth, the others being Anna, Charles, Jennie and I'rancis.
James B. McKay was the son of Mordecai McKay and his wife was a daugh-
ter of Orange Dean and wife, the latter of whom was a Fuller, both lieing
natives of Ne\v York state. They were the parents of eight children, Ann,
.\bigail, Marv, Esther, John, Orange, Martin and Alexander. To Mr. and
Mrs. Bridgman one son has been born, Lewis Henry Bridgman. now cash-
ier of the Union Trust and Savings Bank at Flint. Lewis H. Bridgman
maried Nellie L Davison, now deceased, who was tlie mother of three

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. fyj

children, Charles, Lewis (now deceased) and Helen. Seven years later
Lewis H. Bridgman married Anna Wright, daughter of the superintendent
of the state school for the deaf.

j\lr. and Mrs. Charles T. Bridgnian are members of the Congregational
church and Mr. Bridgman is a meml>er of the board of trustees of the
same. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, having local connection with
Genesee Lodge No. 174. Free and Accepted Masons, the local chapter of
Royal Arch Masons, and the local commandery of Knights Templar; is
affiliated with the Michigan Sovereign Consistory of Detroit, Ancient Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite Mason, and is a noble of El Khurafeh Temple, Order
of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Saginaw. Mr. Bridgman has been
an extensive traveler, not only in North and South America, but in Europe,
Asia and Africa, and has made one trip around the world.

ARTHUR GILES BISHOP.

Arthur Giles Bishop, president of the Genesee County Savings Bank
at Flint and prominently connected with numerous of the leading commer-
cial and industrial concerns of that city, is a native son of Flint and has
lived there all his life. He was born on April 12, 185 1, son of Russell and
Mary (Thomson) Bishop, the former a native of the state of New York
and the latter of Kendal, England, whose last days were spent in Flint,
Russell Bishop having been for many years one of the leaders in the com-
mercial and financial life of that city.

Russell Bishop was born in LeRoy, Genesee county. New York, one of
the seven children born to his parents, Giles and Phoebe (Wait) Bishop,
natives of the state of Connecticut, whose last days were spent in New York
state, but whose remains were brought to Michigan and buried in the ceme-
tery at Flint. In 1837, the year Michigan was admitted to statehood, Rus-
sell Bishop came to this state and located at Flint, where he opened a gen-
eral store and was for many years engaged in conducting the same, long
having been one of the foremost merchants of that city. Under the admin-
istration of T'imes K. Polk, he was appointed receiver of the land ofifice
at Flint and in other ways took a prominent part in the public life of this
part of the state during the early days. He was one of the incorporators
(if the Genesee County Savings Bank at Flint, organized in 1872, was
elected vice-president of the same, later being elected president of the bank.

68 GF.NKSEF. COrXTV, MICIIIG AX.

and in this latter capacity served until his death, August 5, 1896, he then
heing eiglity-one years of age. His wife had long preceded him to the grave,
her death having occurred in 1861, at the age of forty-one years. They
were members of the Episcopal church and their children were reared in that
faith. There were four of these children, of whom the subject of this
.sketch, the third in order of birth, is now the only survivor, the others hav-
ing been Sarah Elizabeth, who was the wife of Judge H. W. Stevens, of
Port Huron, this state; Russell H., who died unmarried, and Tessie, who
died at the age of six years. Mrs. Bishop's parents spent all their lives in
England. The}- were the parents of two children, Mrs. Bishop having had
a brother, Edward.

Arthur G. Bishop grew to manhood in Flint, the place of his birth.
He was graduated from the Flint high school in 1869 and from the University
of Michigan in 1873. Immediately afterward he was employed as collector
and teller in the Genesee County Savings Bank and has ever since been
actively connected with that sound old financial institution. Not long after
l>eginning his service with the bank, Mr. Bishop was promoted to the posi-
tion of cashier, some years later became vice-president and since the year
1912 has been president of the same. The Genesee County Savings Bank,
as noted above, was organized on May i, 1872, with a capital stock of
$50,000, its first president being James B. Walker. In the spring of 1916
the capital of the bank was $100,000, with a surplus of $400,000 and assets
in'exce.ss of $6,000,000, the officers being as follow: President, A. G.
Bishop; vice-president, H. C. Spencer, and cashier, James Martin. On
June 21, 1916, the Genesee County Savings Bank and the National Bank of
Flint were consolidated, thus making one of the strongest financial institu-
tions in the state of Michigan. The officers of the Genesee Bank were
retained as officers of the new bank, the capital of which was increased to
$500,000, with $500,000 surplus and $100,000 in undivided profits. In
addition to his banking connection, Mr. Bishop is a member of the board
of directors of the General Motors Company, a director of the Chevrolet
Motor Company, director and treasurer of the Monroe Motor Company
and director and treasurer of the Copeman Electric Stove Company.

Oil September 24, 1S79, Arthur G. Bishop was united in marriage to
Carrie E. Spencer, whf) was born in Springville, Erie county. New York,
Mav 8, 1855, daughter and only child of Horace C. and Catherine (Morris)
-Spencer, natives of New York state, who came to Michigan in 1871 and
located at Flint, where they are still living. For years Horace C. Spencer
was engaged in the hardware business at Flint; was also cashier of the Citi-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 69

zens Commercial and Savings Bank and is now director and vice-presi-
dent of the Genesee County Savings Bank and chairman of the board. To
Mr. and Mrs. Bishop two children have been Iwrn, Russell Spencer and
Katherine. Russell S. Bishop, an assistant to his father in the bank, mar-
ried Mary Bcasom, of Na-shua, New Hampshire, and has two sons, Arthur
William and Russell Spencer. The Bishops are members of St. Paul's
Episcopal church, of which Mr. Bishop is a vestryman. By political persua-
sion Mr. Bishop is a Republican.

LEWIS BUCKINGHAM.

Lewis Buckingham, former president and now vice-president of the
Flint Board of Commerce and one of the leading merchants of that city
(he and his brother, Capt. Frank D. Buckingham, operating as a partner-
ship concern the clothing store established by their father, the late Major
George W. Buckingham), is one of Flint's most energetic native sons. He
was born in that cit}-, January 26, 1877, son of Major George W. and Jean-
nette (Dibble) Buckingham, both natives of Michigan, the former also a
nati\e son of Flint and the latter born at Dexter.

The late Major George W. Buckingham had l>een a witness to the
development of the city of Flint from the days when it was but a straggling
hamlet. He was born on a homestead farm, land now covered by the city
of Flint, on October 28, 1839, son of Lewis and .Anna (Beach) Buckingham,
natives of the state of New York, who came to Michigan in 1837. They
entered a homestead claim on a tract of land now within the city Hmits of
Flint and there established their home, being thus among the earliest settlers
of that section. Michigan was admitted as a state in that year and the
destinies of Flint seemed assured from the very first. Grandfather Bucking-
ham became one of the prominent pioneers of this section and was a witness
to its development for many years. He was the first sheriff of Genesee
count}-. He lived to the great old age of ninety-tliree years and his widow
survived him Imt a few weeks. On that pioneer farm George W. Bucking-
liani grew to manhood, familiar with every detail of the early growth of his
liome town. .Vs a \oung man his inclinations turned to merchandising and
he secured employment in the general store of D. S. Fox & Compau}-.
where he was engaged as a clerk for some time. He later was elected
sheriff of Genesee county and for eight years served in that important public

JO GENICSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ca[)acity. Upon the completion of his official service he engaged in the milling
business at Muilett Liike and was doing well in that enterprise when his
mill was destroyed by fire, entailing upon him a considerable loss. He then
returned to Flint and again entered commercial pursuits as an employee of
Smith, Bridgman & Company, who later financed- him in the establishment
of a clothing store at Flint, under the firm name of Buckingham, Smith &
Company, whicli arrangement continued for about ten years. At the end
of that time Mr. Buckingham bought the interests of his partners in the
store and continued the business alone until his deatli, on June 14, 1901.
victim of a railway accident, since which time the business has been con-
tinued by his sons.

Major Buckingham was for years one of Flint's leading merchants anil
built up a prosperous business. He was an honored veteran of the Civil
War, having gone to the front as a lieutenant in the Twenty-third Regiment,
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and being mustered out as cafrtain and brev-
etted major at the conclusion of his military service. He was an active
member of the Grand Army of the Republic and ever took a warm interest
in the affairs of the local post of that patriotic organization. As a Repub-
lican, he took a prominent part in the early ix)litics of Genesee county and
was a man of much influence hereabout all his life. He was a member of
the Masonic fraternity and ever took a warm interest in the affairs of that
order. He and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian church
and for years were looked upon as among the leaders in the good works of
their home town. Mrs. Buckingham preceded her husband to the grave
about four years, her death having occurred on .\pril 17, 1897, at the age of
fifty-six years. She was born at Dexter, this state, lier parents having Ijeen
pioneers of that section. Her father died when she was a young girl
and her mother, Abigail (Cranson) Dibble, married, secondly, a Mr. Litch-
field and moved to Corunna and thence to Flint. To Major Buckingham and
wife five children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the
youngest, the others being as follow: Capt. Frank D. Buckinghiun, part-
ner in the Buckingham store: Florence, who married Stanley E. Parkhill
and lives at Venice, California; Anna, who died in her young womanhood.
and Abigail, who lives at Los Angeles, California.

Following his graduation from the Flint high school, Lewis Bucking-
ham went to Columbus, Ohio, where he was engaged with the American
Machine Company for a year, at the end of which time he was transferred
back to Flint in the same employ. He was thus engaged until about a year
before his father's death, when he entered the latter's store, in preparation

GENESIEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. Jl

to taking general charge of the same, pending his father's ultimate retire-
ment from business. M the time of his father's tragic death, his brother,
Capt. Frank U. Buckingham, was in the army, but he resigned his coin-
mission and returned home and the two brothers since then have continued
the business at the old stand, though still operating under the name of
George W. Buckingham. Lewis Buckingham is regarded as one of Flint's
most active merchants and takes an active part in the commercial life of the
city, tie was for some time president of the Flint Board of Commerce.
his term of service expiring November 23, 1915. since which time he has
been serving as vice-president of the board. He is a Republican, but does
not take a particularly active part in politics.

On September 12. 1905, Lewis Buckingham was united in marriage
to Emma Farnum, who was born at Owasso, in the neighboring county of
Shiawasee, June 24, 1878, daughter of the Rev. W. L. and Harriet A.
(Isham) Farnum, who came to Michigan from Delevan, Wisconsin. The
Rev. W. L. Farnum was for many years pastor of the First Baptist church
at Flint. He died at Tecumseh, this state, and his widow is still living.
They were the parents of two children, Mrs. Buckingham having had a
brother, who died in childhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham three chil-
dren have been born, Lee Farnum, Lewis, Jr., and Harriet Jeannette. Mrs.
Buckingham is a member of the Baptist church and Ixith she and Mr. Buck-
ingham take a warm interest in local good works.

Capt. Frank D. Buckingham, the other member of the Buckingham
firm, also is a nati\e of Flint. He was born on June 30, 1868, and upon
completing the course in the local high school, entered his father's store
and was engaged there until the breaking out of the Spanish-American
War in 1898, when lie enlisted for service in the Thirty-fifth Regiment,
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and, as captain of Company B of that regi-
ment, went to the "front." which in the case of the Thirty-fifth Michigan
happened to be Augusta, Georgia. Upon the conclusion of that term of
enlistment. Captain Buckingham enlisted in the regular army and was sent
to the Philippine Islands, where he served for two years as captain of
Compan\- D, Thirtieth Regiment, United States Infantry. Upon receipt
of news of his father's tragic death, he resigned his commission, returned
to Flint and, in association wuth his brother, Lewis, has ever since been
engaged in the affairs of the old Buckingham store. Captain Buckingham
is an energetic business man and is one of the directors of the Citizens Bank
of Flint. Fie is a Republican, but is not active in political affairs.

On September 21. 1904, Capt. Frank D. Buckingham was united in

■J2 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

marriage to Nancy Hascall, wIki uImi was born at Flint, daugliter uf Henry
and Isabella (Decker) Hascall, natives nf Flint. The father was a well-
known lumberman of that cit\', who died at the age of sixty and whose
widow is still living. Mrs. Pla.scall is a daughter of Grant Decker, a well-
remembered pioneer of Genesee county. To her and her husband five chil-
dren were born, Harry G., Gertrude, Gene\ieve, Nancy and Carlton. To
Captain and Mrs. Buckingham two children have been born, George Waite
and Nancy Isabella. i\Irs. Buckingham is a member of the Episcopal
church and lx)th she and her husband are warmly interested in local good
works. Captain Buckingham is a member of Flint Lodge No. 25, Free and
Accepted Masons; Flint Chapter No. 15, Ro}al Arch Masons; Flint Com-
mandery No. 15, Knights Templar, and is a noble of Moslem Tcmi^le, .\n-
cient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Detroit.

C. B. BURR, M. D.

Dr. C. B. Burr, medical director and executive officer of Oak Grove, a
private hospital for the care of nen-ous and mental diseases, at Flint,
former .sui^erintendent of the state hospital for the insane at Pontiac. former
president of the American Medico-Psychological Association, former ])resi-
dent of the Michigan State Medical Society and one of the best-known
alienists and neurologists in the United States, is a native son of Michigan
and has lived in this state all his life. He was Iiorn in tlie city of Lansing,
November 3, 1S56, son of Allen R. and Catherine (Foote) Burr, and was
reared in that city, attending the city schools and Old's .\cademy, later
Rork's Academy. In that city he also was first employed, filling the ix)sition
of assistant postmaster before attaining the age of twenty-one. In 1875 ^^e
began to read medicine mider the guidance of Dr. W. W. Campbell, of
Mason. He studied under the preceptorship of Dr. C. N. Hayden, of
Lansing, and attended the University of Michigan and the College of
Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York. From the latter
institution he was graduated in 1878, commencing the ]iracticc of iiis prn-
fes.sion immediately thereafter at Springport, this state. Tn November of
that same year, however, he became iclentilicd with the eastern .Michigan
hospital for the insane at Pontiac, connnencing, as an assistant physician at
that institution, his career as an alienist and neurologist. From 1885 until
1889 he served as assistant medical superintendent and from 1889 until
1894 as medical superintendent. On Seiitember i of the latter year i^ictor

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Burr severed, by resignation, his connection with the state institution in
order to accept the position of medical director of Oak Grove, and has ever
since been thus engaged.

While at Pontiac, Doctor Burr organized the first training class for
attendants instituted in connection with the Micliigan state hospitals. For
the furthering of efficient teaching in this class, he wrote a "Primer of
I'sychology and jNIental Disease," which volume, since amplified and adapt-
ed to the use of medical students as well as nurses, is now in its fourth
editioii, under the title of "A Ifandbook of Psychology and Mental -Disease."
In addition to preparing the airove handbook. Doctor Burr has contributed
largely to medical literature through reviews and correspondence, papers and
addresses, being the author of the following: "Cocculus Indicus in Epilepsy,"
"The Insanity of Masturljation," "The Insanity of Pubescence," "Muscular
Action as a Cause of Fracture in Paretics," "The Relation of Gynaecologv'
to Psychiatry," ".\ Case of Primary Monomania (primiire Verniecktheit),"
"Anielioration of Paretic Dementia Following F,xtensive Slou.ghs," "Para-
noia with Delusions of Change in Sex," "Intra-Cranial Tumor witli i\.b-
sence of Diagnostic Symptoms," "Tachycardia Associated with Insanitv,"
"An Unusual Case of Meningiti>," "\'aledictory Address" ( training school
for attendants at Pontiac, 1895). "X'alcdictory Address" (training school
for attendants at Kalamazoo. 1807), "I'sycliiatric Suggestions," "A Winter
Visit to the Wisconsin County Asylums," "An Altogether Unique Medico-
Surgical Case," "Christian Science Folly," "What Improvements Have Been
Wrought in the Care of the Insane by Means of Training Schools," "The
.Symptomatology and Progress of Inflammations as Modified in Mental and
Nervous Diseases," "Some Mental Symptoms of More or Less Interest,"
"Clinical Lecture on Forms of Insanity" (International Clinics, 1894,),
"Clinical Lecture on Forms of Insanity" (International Clinics, 1896,),
"Paranoia," "Dififerential Diagnosis of In.sanity," "Morbid Besetments or
Obses-sions," "Care of the Recent Case of Insanity," "Reflections on Trau-
matic Hysteria," "Physical Basis of Thought and Emotion," "Essentials of
an Adequate System of State Supervision," "Delusions, Illusions and Hal-
lucinations," "Biennial Reports of the Eastern Michigan Asyhmi, 1890 and
1892," "Concerning Morphine Addiction and Its Treatment," "The Size
and Essential l""eatures of the I\Iodel State Hospital for the Insane," "Syphi-
lis of the Ner\ous wSystem," "Some L'nusual .Sj-mpathetic Xervous Disturb-
ances Accompanying Hysteria," "Epileptics and Their Care," "Brain Tutnor
and Hysteria," "The Care of the Boy Approaching Manhood," "Some of
the Embarrassments of an Executive," "Re-education Following Right

74 GKXESEF. COL'XTY, MICItlC.AN.

Meniiplegia," "Paranoia and Certain Paranoid Conditions in Tiieir Rela-
tions to the Public and the Profession." "Dementia Praecox and Allied Con-
dilions." "Diaj^nostic Hint'^ in Insanity."' "The Cliristian Duty of Caring for
tin- Mind." "Symbolism in .Sanity and in Insanity." "Witchcraft in Certain
Medical and Legal Relations," "Medical Preparedness" (editorial in the
JiHirnal of tlie Michigan .State Medical Society. March. 1916), "Art in the
Insane" ("American Medico-Psychological Association. 1916), "Dififerentia-
tion in Mental Cases." sundry book reviews and correspondence in the
Aincrican Journal of Insanity, the Journal of the Michigan State Medical
Society and the Rcvnc dc Psychiatric, Paris. To general literature. Doctor
Burr has contributed articles on "The Mountaineers of North Carolina."
"Some of the Insane Characters of Dickens," "The Physician as a Character
in Fiction," "Abraham Uncoln," "Universal Militarv Training." and a lay
sermon, "Burns's Epistle to a Young Friend."

Doctor Burr was secretary to the American Metlico-Psychological As-
sociation for five years and was president of that association in 1906. He
has served as president of the Northeastern District JNIedical Society and
was the first president of the Detroit Society of Neurology and Psychiatry,
organized in IQ08. He was a member of the council, the executive body.
of the Michigan State Medical Society, from the time of that society's re-
organization in Tqo2 until 1909, for two or three years was chairman of the
council and in 191 1 was president of the Michigan State ^ledical Society.
Tn addition to the foregoing societies Doctor Burr is a member of the Gene-
sec County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Ameri-
can iVeurological Association and the Mississippi \^alley Medical .Society.
He is a foreign associate member of the Societe Medico-Psychologique of
I'aris and a corresponding member of the Detroit Academy of Medicine: a
member of the \\'ayne County Medical Association, of the Detroit Club, the
Detroit Athletic Club, the American Red Cross, the Shakespeare Club, the
Country Club, of all the Masonic lx)dies in Flint, of the Michigan Sovereign
Consistory Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Moslem Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of Flint Lodge No. 222,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Doctor Burr has traveled somewhat extensively in America and in
Europe. He was a student at the Kraei^lin Klinik in Munich in 1909. He
is a member of the staff of editorial collaborators of the Journal of the
Michigan State Medical Society, was formerly a member of the executive
committee of the Flint Board of Commerce, is president of the park boanl
of the citv of Flint, member of tlie state board of registration in medicine,

GENKSEK COL'NTY. MICHIGAN. 75

and was a director of the National Bank of Flint. He is director and execu-
tive officer of Oak Grove (hospital), senior warden in St. Paul's Episcopal
church, memljer of the board of trustees of the Episcopal church, diocese
of Detroit, member of the National Defense Association and Navy League.
and a member of the national committee of the National Security League.
In 1886 Dr. C. n. Burr was united in marriage to Delia Ernestine Ran-
dall, of Norwich, New York, who died in 1888, leaving one child, a daugh-
ter, Ernestine Randall. In 1890 Doctor Burr married Annette Louise Whee-
ler, of Chicago. His only daughter, Ernestine, gracious, kindly and well
beloved, died in January, T914.

OTTO P. GRAFF

Otto P. Graff, former treasurer of Genesee county, now treasurer and
general manager of the Ford Sales Company at Flint, is a native son of
Michigan, born in Exeter township, Monroe county, March 11, 1880. He is
a son of Henry AI. and Mary (Zink) Graff, natives of New York state, now
living retired in the city of Flint, who were the parents of three children,
Elizabeth, who married William Hanna, of Flint; Jacob A., who died in
1903, at the age of twenty-eight years, and Otto P.

Henry M. Graff was born on a farm in Niagara count}'. New York,
son of Jacob and Mary (Wagner) Graft', the former a native of Germany
and the latter of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Jacob Graff was born
in the province of Wurtemberg, in 1819. and emigrated to America in 1837,
settling in Pennsylvania, whence, after his marriage, he moved to Niagara
county, New York, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives.
She died in 1896, at the age of seventy-six years, and he survived her seven
years, being eighty-four years of age at the time of his death in 1903. They
were the parents of eleven children, Elizal>eth, Anna, Henry M., Charlotte,
Maria, Seymour, Jacob, Catherine and three who died in infancy. Henry
M. Graff was reared on the home farm in New York and became a very
competent farmer. He enlisted for service in the Union army during the
Civil War, serving as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth
Regiment. New York Volunteer Infantry, with which he was mustered out
at the end of the war. He married Mary Zink, who was born in Erie county.
New York, daughter of John Zink and wife, the latter of whom was a
Klingelschmidt.

76 GKNKSEE COL'NTV, MICHIGAN.

TlicM.- parents were natives oi Germany, wlio came to America and set-
tled in New York, later coming to .Michigan and becoming pioneers in
Monroe county, after awhile retiring from the farm and moving to Monroe,
where their last days were spent. John Zink died in 1889, at the age of eighty-
six years. His wife iiad preceded him to the grave two years, having been
alx)ut eighty years of age at the time oi her death in 1887. They were the
parents of nine children. John, Henry, Philip. Jacob. Andrew. Peter, Eliza-
beth, Mary and Lewis, who died in 1883.

In 1870 Henrv 1\I. Graff came to Michigan from New York. He
bdiigbt a farm of eight}- acres in Monroe county, whereon he established his
home antl there li\ed until I--ebruary, 1883, when he sold the farm, which
he had greatlv imi)ruved meanwhile, and came to Genesee county. He bought
a lifty-acre farm in section 6, Grand Blanc township, and there made his
home until 1902, when he sold the place and bought the John McFarlan
farm of one hundred and sixty acres one-half mile east of the village of
Grand Blanc. There he lived until 191 3, in which year he rented the farm
and moved to Flint, where he and his wife are now living retired. They
were reared in the German Lutheran faith, but upon coming to this state
l)ec:une connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and for years were
among the leading supporters of the church of that denomination at Grand
I'.lanc, Mr. Graff being one of the trustees of the same. He also took an
active part in civic aft'airs in his neighI)orhood and held various township
offices.

Otto P. Graft" was aljout three years old when his parents came to this
cotmty and he was rearetl on the paternal farm in Grand Blanc township,
receiving his elementary education in the district schools of his home neigh-
I)orhood. He su])plemented the same by a course in the normal schools at
]-1int and at Fenton. after which he began teaching school and was thus
engaged for seven \ears. Mr. Graff is a Republican and for years has given
close attention to the political affairs of the county. While he was teaching
school he was elected supervisor of Grand Blanc township and served in
that capacity for live years. He then was elected county treasurer and upon
his retirement from the treasurer's office at the end of his term of serAice.
f(nn- vears later, engaged in the automobile sales business and has ever since
been thus engaged. Upon the organization of the Ford Sales Company at
Mint in H)I5 'Sir. Graff was elected treasurer and general manager of that
conii)anv and is now serving in that capacity. This company was organized
with a capit.-d •^tock of twelve thousand dollars. Associated with Mr. Graff

i;i;.MSKK COUNTY, ^riCHIGAN. 77

in the business are C. O. Hetcliler, president, and George H. McVannel.
secretary.

On March ii, 1908, Otto P. Graff was united iu marriage to Flora B.
^IcNeil. who was born in Thetford township, this county, November 30,
1879, daughter of Alonzo O. and Carrie (Peek) McNeil, both natives of
Genesee county, who are now living retired in Flint, Alonzo O. McNeil is
a son of Andrew and Phoebe (Howe) McNeil, natives of New York state
and pioneers of Genesee county; they were the parents of five children,
George H., Mrs. Wealthy Cox, Alonzo O., Myron and Mrs. Mina Butler.
Airs. McNeil is a daughter of Andrew and Eunice (Terr\- ) Peek, natives of
New York state, also pioneers of Genesee county, who were the parents of
six children, Elmer, Ira. Carrie. Lewis, Ardie and one who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Graff have one child, a daughter, Geraldine Vienna. They
have a very pleasant home at No. 719 Liberty street. They are members of
the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Graff is a member of
Friendship Lodge No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Gene-
see Lodge No. 24, Free and .Iccepted Masons.

JUDGE COLONEL OGDEN SWAYZI':.

Judge Colonel Ogden Swayze, wiio for twelve years filled the office of
police justice in the city of Flint and who is now serving his second term
as judge of probate of Genesee count}', is a native of New Jer.sey, boni on
the banks of the Delaware river, near Belvedere, that state, September 15,
1859. He is a son of Daniel and Sarah Catherine (Angle) Swayze, natives
of New jersey, who were the parents of seven children, of whom but two
now survive, Judge Swayze having a sister, Rachel Adeline, wfe of William
Buck, of Sanford, Florida.

Daniel Swayze was a son of Ogden and Ruth Ann (Somers) Swayze,
also natives of New Jer.sey, of Welsh stock. Ogden Swayze was a farmer
and for some time serv'ed as sheriff of his home county. He and his wife
were the parents of six children, Daniel, William S., John E., Edward H.,
Rachel and (^lark. His wife died in New Jersey, when well past middle
age, and he then came to Michigan and spent his last days with his daughter
in Oakland county, being seventy-eight years of age at the time of his death.
Daniel Swayze grew to manhood on the paternal fann and farming was his
life work. During the Civil War he spent three years in the United States

78 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

iKival scnicc and rose to I)l' an nfrtcer in llic navy. Upon the completion
of his naval service and after the war. lie came to ?\Iichigan, locating on a
tami near Rochester, in Oakland cmmtx. He had married l^efore the war.
Some years later he nu)\ed to Hay ( ity and thence to I^peer county, where
he bonght an eighty-acie farm and there made his home until 1887, in which
year he sold the farm and mo\ed to J'"lint. For some years he served as
custodian of the Walker school in Flint and later bought a farm just west
of the city, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1901.
he then being sixty-seven years of age. His wife had preceded him to the
grave alx)ut ten years previously, she having been about fifty-nine at the time
of her death. They were members of the Baptist church.

Colonel O. Swayze was reared a farmer boy, attending the public
schools, and was graduated from the Hadley high school in Lapeer county,
after which he attended the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso
and upon his graduation from that institution began teaching, in time becom-
ing principal of schools in Lapeer county. He then went to the state of
Washington and was engaged as principal of the schools at Ritzville, that
state, for two years, at the end of which time he returned to Michigan and
located at Mint, where he entered upon the study of law in the office of
Wisner, Lee & Aitken. On June 18, 1891. he was admitted to the bar by
judge \\'illiani Xewton. Shortly afterward he was elected police justice
of the city of Flint and for twelve years filled that exacting otlfice. In the
fall of 1908 Judge Swayze was elected judge of probate lor Genesee county
and entered ui^on the duties of tliat office on the ist of January following.
In 1912 he was re-elected judge of probate and is now ser\ing his second
term in that office. Judge Swayze is a Republican and from lx)yhood has
taken an active part in political afifairs. He was one of the organizers of
the Young Men's Republican Club at h'lint and was its first president. He
served for some time as secretar\- of the Re])ul)!ican couiitv committee and
was afterward for some time chairman of the committee.

On Februaiw 4, 1896, Colonel O. Swayze was united in marriage to
Edith Kurtz, who was born in the village of Clarence, near iJufi'alo, in ]lv\e
county. New York, Decemljer 31. 1868. daughter of Jacob and Susanna
( Diller ) Kurtz, natives of New York state, who came to Michigan years
ago and settled in Genesee county, where Jacob Kurtz died in the summer
of 1915, at the age of seventy-two years, a wealthy and influential farmer.
His widow is still living. They were the jKirents of three children, Mrs.
Swayze having two brothers, Frank and Charles J. Kurtz. To Judge and
Mrs. Swavze three sons have been liorii. Colonel Kenneth. Carl Ogden and

GKNESEE COIINTY, MICHIGAN.

Donald Kurtz. They arc mem1)ers (if tlie ISaptist church and the Judi,'e
has held \-arious offices in the church. Jud,i,re Swavze is a thirty-second-
degree Mason, affiliated with the consistory of the Ancient .Vccepted Scottish
Rite, at Detroit, and is a noble of Elf Khurafeh Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Saginaw. He is past master of
Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons, at Flint; a menii)er
of Washington Chapter No. 13, Royal and Select Masters, and of Genesee
Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons, at Flint; a member
ber of Genesee Lodge No. 24, Inde])endent Order of Odd Fellows, and of
Colonel Fenton Canton No. Jj, Patriarchs Militant; he has risen to the rank
of past grand patriarch, Michigan encampment, and was twice a repre-
sentative to the sovereign encampment of the Patriarchs Militant, once at
I^altimore and once at San Francisco. He also is a memljer of Flint Lodge
No. 222, Pienevolent and Protective Older of F.Iks, and in the affairs of all
these organizations takes n warm interest.

•LOVD A. ALLEN.

Floyd A. Allen, whei is connected in \arious capacities with several
enterprises of Flint and is generally recognized as one of the most progres-
sive and energetic figures in the rapidly expanding industrial life of the city,
is a native son of Michigan and has been a resident of Flint since 1908. He
was born im a farm near Parma, Jackson county, ALiy 5, 1877, son of
Charles and lumice (Jackson) Allen, the former of Puritan stock, born in
Michigan in i8_^7. the latter of New ^'ork-Dutch stock, born in Akron, New
York, in 1843. They were the parents of five children besides the subject
of this sketch, namely: Edith (Mrs. O. J. Chapel) and [Mead J., both of
Parma; R. Z. and Walter C, both of Jackson, and Anna, who died in
infanc} .

l""lo\d, the third son, was reared on the paternal farm, attended the pub-
lic school at Parma and was graduated from the high school at Albion.
He managed his father's farm for three }-ears, then entered Albion
College, graduating from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of
.\rts in 1903. He then taught school for two }ears, then spent two years as
a traveling salesman, until he entered the office of the Buick Motor Compan}-
at their Jackson plant. He was promoted rapidly, followc, the compan\-
to Flint in 1908 and occupied positions of resiwnsibility ano trust until he

8o f;ENF.sKi-: couxrv, imiciiigax.

resigned his connection with them on August i, 191O, in order to devote his
entire time to his own large business interests.

On February 6, 191 5, Floyd A. Allen w;i> united in marriage to Mrs.
Clara Petit, who was born at Port Huron. Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Allen
attend the Episcopal church and take a proper interest in the various social
and cultural activities of their home city. Mr. .Mien is a Republican, a mem-
ber of Flint Lodge Xo. 23, Free and .\ccepted Masons, and of Flint Ix)dge
No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of VAks. He and his wife reside
at No. 502 East Kearsley street.

MATTHI':\\' DA\'ISON.

Matthew Da\ison, former mayor of Flint, chairman of the board of
directors of the Union Trust and Savings Bank of that city, of which he for
years was cashier and general manager, owner of much valuable real estate
in and about Flint and long regarded as one of the most substantial and
progressive citizens of this comity, is a native of Ireland, but has lived in
Genesee county ever since he was a babe in arms and therefore is as one
native born here, having never known any other home. His early playmates
were Indian boys and he has been a witness to the development of this
region from pioneer days, being recognized also as one of the most im-
portant factors in that wonderful development. Matthew Davison was boni
in County Antrim, Ireland, January 4, 1839, son of James and Jennie (Aus-
tin ) Davison, both natives of Ireland, of Scottish descent, who later came to
this country and settled in this county, where their last days were spent.
Iionored and respected pioneers.

In referring to Mr. Davison's ancestral home, it is worthy of note that
County Antrim has made a large contribution of her blood to the national
life of the United States, as is evidenced in the following facts: The ances-
tors of President James Buchanan emigrated from the parish of Raloo;
President Andrew Jackson's father was born in Ballyhill ; President Andrew
Johnson's fatlier was a Presbyterian minister in Ballymena ; President James
A. Garfield's ancestors emigrated from Lisburn ; President William Mc-
Kinley's grandfather went from Ballymoney; President Theodore Roose-
velt is descended, on his mother's side, from a family named Irvine who
emigrated from Gleno in 1829; "Lighthorseman Harry" Lee, of Revolu-
tionarv fame, was from Gleno, as was Gen. Robert F. Lee; "Stonewall"

i/^Uj~Cl'<r-i^^^iy-^^

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 8l

Jackson was of .Vntrini descent; Ephraim McDowell, of Gleno, was one of
the pioneers of the state of Virginia and was ancestor to man}' eminent men
in tiie United States ; John l". Ereckenrdige's ancestors also were from
County Antrim. The parisli of Raloo, wliere Mr. Davison was born, is five
miles long and four miles broad, and it is authoritatively stated that there is
not a famil}- resident there at the present time but sent some of its members
U> .\merica at an early day.

James Da\ison was born on a small farm near the city of Belfast, son
of Matthew and Ellen Davison, who spent all their lives in their native land,
where they reared a large famil}-, of whom mention is made of Matthew,
James. .Agnes and Helen. James Davison was a weaver of fine linen and
also owned a small farm in the Belfast neighborhood. There he married
Jennie Austin, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Mahon) Austin, natives of
Ireland, who also came to America later in life (all their children but one
married daughter also coming to this side), and settled in Pennsylvania,
where Samuel Austin spent the rest of his life. After his death his widow
went to Iowa, Vihere her last days were spent in the home of her son, David.
She was the mother f)f seven children, Margaret, Henry, Jennie, David,
Samuel. Mary and James. In t8.io James Davison and his wife and their
first-born child, Matthew, the subject of this sketch, who then was but little
more than a year old, came to the United States and lost little time in pro-
ceeding to the then wilds of Michigan, locating in this county. James Davi-
son homesteaded a tract of eighty acres in Forest township and there estab-
lished his home. He cleared and improved this place and was beginning to
see his way clear to the development of a very comfortable home when death
jnit a stop to his labors after he had been a resident of this county about
twehe years. He died in 1854, being then about fifty-three years of age.
His widow sur\i\ ed him many }ears, her death occurring at the home of her
son, Matthew, in Plint, at the age of eighty-six years. They were earnest
Methodists and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven
of these children, those besides the subject of this sktch, the eldest, being
Sanniel, of Alpena this state; Ellen, deceased, who was the wife of William
Oawford, also deceased; James L., of Alpena; David, of Prescott, this
state: Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Olds, and William H.,
of .\lpena.

Matthew Davison grew up on the homestead in Forest township. When
the Davisons settled there, there were but three white families in that town-
ship and as a youngster Matthew Davison's playmates were Indians, who
(6a)

COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

taught him the correct use of tlic l)o\v and arrow and taught him mucii accur-
ate wood lore. He was nine \ears old wlien tlie first school was organized
in that section, his fathei' ha\ing donated a corner of his farm for the pur-
pose and erected thereon a small log school liouse. Matthew Davison was
but fourteen years old wiien his father died and. as the eldest .son, much of
the labor of the further developiuent of the home place devolved upon him.
He remained with his mother until the other children were well grown,
after which he spent some time working in the lumber woods, and at the
age of twenty-five vears went to Flint, where he began clerking in a general
store and was thus occupied until his marriage, about five years later, after
which lie entered the mercantile business on his own account. He had saved
his money and was able to start a small clothing store in a room, half of
which he sub-let in order to reduce the ex]>ense of rent. He prospered from
the verv Ijeginning of his venture and presently was compelled to seek larger
quarters. .Xbout 1873 he erected a store building on the west side of Sagi-
naw street, near First street, and there continued in business until failing
health compelled him to seek relief in the oi>en. He closed out his business,
renting the store and engaged in the Inlying and selling of property, which
gave him wider opportunity for being outdoors, and he e\er since has been
engaged in that business.

Tn 1894 Matthew l)a\ison was called on to take charge of the Union
Trust and Savings Bank of Flint, as cashier of the same, and for twenty-
one years he continued as active manager of the bank, or until his resigna-
tion as cashier and manager on January i, 191 5, after which he was elected
chairman of the board of directors of the bank, which position he now
holds. The Union Trust and Savings Bank was established with a capital
stock of two hundred thousand dollars, which Mr. Davison and the directors
presently reduced to one hundred thousand dollars. The business of the
bank has constantly grown until today its footings are about three million
two hundred thousand dollars. In addition to his extensive banking interests.
Mr. Davison is the owner of a number of farms in Genesee county and of
considerable valuable real estate in the city of h'lint. He is independent in his
])olitical views and has for many years gi\en thoughtful attention to ci\ic
alYairs hereabout, at one time .serving as mayor of Flint, liaving been elected
I0 that office on the Democratic ticket.

On February 9, i860. ^Tatthew Daxison was united in marriage to
Helen M. Richmond, who was born at White Lake, Oakland county, Michi-
gan, daughter of John and .Ann (Loop) Richmond, pioneers of that county,
who were the ])arents of four ciiildren. Margaret. Helen, Loida and Diana.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 83

Mrs. Davison died on April 28, 1913, leaving four children, namely: Arthur
M., one of the leading clothiers of Flint, who married Harriet Cummings.
a granddaughter of former Governor Begole, and has three children, Mary,
\'irginia and Elizabeth; Matthew, a Avell-known automobile dealer at Flint,
who married C'atherine McCreery and has three children, Matthew, Gene-
vieve and Fenton McCreery; Ellen, now deceased, who married H. L. Bridg-
man and left two children, Charles and Helen; and William H., in the lum-
ber business at Flint, who married Virginia Fenton and has two children.
Mary Tha3'er and Eliza R. ; the mother died in 1915. Mr. Davison is a
member of the Methodist church and a thirty-second-degree Mason, affiliated
with the consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Detroit, as well
as a noble of the Moslem Temple, Ancient .Arabic Order of Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine, in that city. He is a member of Flint Lodge No. 23, Free
and Accepted Masons; Flint Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and
Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, in the affairs of all
of wliich branches of Masonrv he takes a warm interest.

HOMER J. McBRIDE.

Homer J. McBride, city attorney of Flint, this county, is a native son
of Michigan, born on a farm in Caledonia township, in the neighboring
county of Shiawassee, April 8, 1879, son of James and Caroline (Ferris)
McBride, the former a native of that same county and the latter of the
state of New York. To them were born two sons, the subject of this sketch
having a brother, Frank, who is still living on the old home place in Shia-
wassee county.

James McBride's parents, Robert McBride and wife, the latter of
whom was a Davids, were born and reared in Canada, where they were
married. Robert McBride was a wagon-maker by trade, but later became
a farmer and after his marriage came to Michigan and settled in Shiawassee
county, where he cleared and improved a farm and there reared his family.
He was sixty-five years old at the time of his death and his wife died at the
age of fifty. They were the parents of nine children, James, Albert R.,
Robert, John, Sarah, Martha, Caroline, Emma and Mary. James McBride
was reared on the pioneer farm and upon reaching manhood's estate bought
a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cleared and improved.
He married Caroline Ferris, who was Ixirn in New York state, daughter of

84 GFNESEE C0X:NTV, MICHIGAN.

Schuyler and Amanda (Hobart) Ferris, botli natives of that same state, who
moved to Michigan in the early sixties and settled in Shiawassee county.
Schuyler Ferris was a brick- and tile-maker and later became a farmer. He
lived to the age of seventy-four and his widow is still living, at the age of
seventy-six. To them eight children were born, Caroline, Christina, Charles.
Lura, Emma S., Theda, Ella and May. James McBride died on his home
fami in iqo5, aged sixty-two years. His widow still survives him. She is
a member of the Methodist church and for years has been active in good
works in her home neighborhood.

Homer J. McBride's elementary education was received in the district
school in the neighborhood of his home, and he supplemented the same by
a coiirse in. the high school at Corimna, from which he was graduated in 1898.
He then entered the law department of the University of Michigan and was
graduated from the same in 1902, being admitted to the bar that same year.
Previous to his graduation, however, he had been serving as deputy county
clerk of Sliiawassee county and he remained in that position until September
I, 1903, when he moved over to Flint and opened a law office in partnership
with Clififord A. Bishop, now prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, who
was a classmate of his at Ann Arlx)r. Upon the dissolution of that partner-
ship, Mr. McBride located in his present offices, Xo. 300 Dryden building.
In 1908 he was elected cit\- attorney and has held that position ever since.
Mr. McBride has taken an active interest in the development of Flint during
the days of its recent "boom" and has erected a number of houses there. He
is a Republican and takes a more or less active part in local ix)litical affairs.
He was a member of the Flint board of health for several years and for
three years served as a member of the Michigan National Guard.

On June 27, 191 1, Homer J. McBride was united in marriage to
Blanche Edith Cotharin, who was born in Richfield township, this county,
August I, 1884, daughter of George A. and Emma (Golden) Cotharin, both
natives of this state. George A. Cotharin formerly was engaged in the coal
and ice business, but is now living retired. To him and his wife four chil-
dren were born, of whom Mrs. McBride is the youngest, the others being
Arthur B., Jessie and George. Mr. and Mrs. McBride are members of the
Episcopal church and take an earnest interest in the various Ijeneficenccs of
the same. Mr. McBride is past master of Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and
.\ccepted Masons: a member of Corunna Chapter No. 33, Royal Arch Masons,
and of Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15. Knights Templar. He also is
a meml>er of Flint Lodge No. 222. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
.iiid in the affairs of these various organizations takes a warm interest.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 85

CLIFFORD A. BISHOP.

Clifford A. Bishop, prosecuting attorney for Genesee county, member of
the law firm of Bishop & Blackney, with offices in the Dryden building at
Flint, is a native of this county and has lived here all his life. He was born
on a farm in Argentine township, this county, August 3, 1877, son of Henry
L. and Charlotte M. (Chambers) Bishop, both natives of Michigan, who
were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the
last-born, the others being as follow: George, of Williamstown, this state;
Minnie, who is at home with her mother at Byron, this state; Charles, of
Imperial, Oregon, and Tela, wife of Jeptha Skinner, of Argentine township,
this county.

Henry L. Bishop was reared on a farm near Highland, this state, his
parents, natives of New York state, having been early settlers in that vicinity.
He was the second youngest of four children born to his parents, the others
l>eing William, Fred and Mrs. Amanda Tenny. When the Civil War broke
out, Henry L. Bishop enlisted for service as a private in one of the Michigan
regiments and served as a soldier until the close of the war, at the end of
which service he became a farmer on his own account. He married and
presently moved to Argentine, this county, where he opened a blacksmitli
shop and in the vicinity of which village he also engaged in farming for
many years. Upon his retirement from the farm he moved to Byron, where
he died in May, 1912, at the age of seventy-three years, and where his
widow, now in her seventy-seventh year, is still living. She is a daughter
of Frank and Mary (Hyde) Chambers, both natives of London, England,
who were married in that city and shortly afterward emigrated to the
United States, settling in the neigliborhood of Commerce, this state, where
they spent the remainder oi their lives, both living to good old ages. They
were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Bishop was the fourth in
order of birth, the others being Charles, Frank, George, Mrs. Eliza Sullivan,
Mrs. Sarah Goodspeed, and Maria, who died in her youth.

Clifford A. Bishop was reared on the paternal farm in Argentine town-
ship and was graduated from the Williamston high school in 1896. He then
entered the law department of the University of Michigan and was graduated
from the same in 1902. In that same year he was admitted to the bar and in
1903 began practicing his profession in Flint, as a partner of Homer ].
McBride. This connection continued for four or five years, after which Mr.
Bishop practiced alone until 1912, in which year he formed his present part-

86 GENKSEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN.

nership with William W. Blackney, former county clerk, who is also a gradu-
ate of the law department of the State University. In 1912 Mr. Bishop was
elected prosecuting attorney for Genesee county and took office on the first
of the year following, appointing his partner as his assistant. Mr. Bishop is
a Republican and has from his youth given close attention to local ix)litical
affairs. He and Mr. Blackney are the organizers of the Paterson Auto
Sales Company.

On July 19, 1902, Clifford A. Bishop was united in marriage to Agnes
R. Sears, who was born in Canada, daughter of John and Mary (O'Neil)
Sears, natives of the Dominion, who were the parents of eight children,
Charles Edward (deceased), Mrs. Anna Weissinger, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs.
Aileen Vermilya, Margaret, Mrs. Nora Kane, Maiid, who died in young
womanhood, and Donald, who died in early childhood. John Sears was a
blacksmith. He came to Michigan about thirty years ago and located at
Saline, in Washtenaw county, where he spent the rest of his life. His
widow's last days were spent in Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are members of
the Baptist church. Mr. Bishop is a Royal Arch Mason and he and his wife
are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He also is an Odd Fellow
and a member of the encampment of that order; likewise a member of the
Elks, the Modern Woodmen, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Loyal Guard
and the Moose.

ALVIN NELSON CODY.

Alvin Nelson Cody, one of the prominent and successful educators of
Michigan, was bom in Mayville, Tuscola county, being the son of Nelson
and Emily (Swift) Cody, the former of whom was a native of New Market.
Canada, and the latter of Lapeer, ]\lichigan.

Nelson Cody and wife were the parents of the following children:
Emma P., the widow of Charles Mills, near Mayville, Michigan; Walter E.,
who resides on the home farm near Ma\-ville; Hattie S., tlie wife of Ben-
jamin Cody, of Ingersoll, Canada; Alvin N., superintendent of the city
schools, Flint; Alice E.. wife of John Paul, of Fremont, Michigan; Ernest
E., superintendent of schools at Fenton, and Arthur N., who died when but
two years of age.

Nelson Cody was reared on a farm in Canada and when about eighteen
vears of age came to Michigan and settled near Lapeer, where he followed
the trades of airpenter and millwrigh't. He and Horace Fox built the first

(JliNIiSKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 87

grist-, saw- and shingle-mill in Mayville, which was operated for several
years. Later the liealth of Mr. Cody caused him to engage in farming,
and he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cleared and
partly improved. In connection with liis farm work, he grew and cultivated
much fruit. He died in 1903, his wife surviving him imtil 1907. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Cody were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and
Mr. Cody held several township ofifices.

The paternal grandparents of Alvin N. Cody, John and Anna (Richards)
Cody, were natives of Canada, where Mr. Cody was a teacher. In 1849
he went overland to California in search of gold, but he never returned.
The wife and mother lived on the home farm near Mayville, where she died
at the age of eighty-four. They were tlie parents of two children, Nelson
and John J.

The maternal grandparents were Joseph and Harriet (Young) Swift,
natives of Connecticut. They were pioneers of Lapeer county, where Mr.
Swift engaged in farming and the lumber business. Mrs. Swift died in
early life, after which the husband retired from the farm and devoted his
hfe to the real estate business. They were the parents of the following
children : Emily, William, John and George.

Alvin Nelson Cody was reared on his father's farm and attended the
district school and later the village school at Mayville, graduating from the
high school. After teaching for one year in the rural schools, he was
principal of the schools at Fostoria for three years and superintendent of
schools at Laingsburg for four years, after which he entered Albion College
and received his Bachelor of Science degree. In 1902 he received iiis mas-
ter's degree at the LTniversity of Michigan. At this time he came to Flint
as principal of the high school, serving as such for two years, and in 1904
was elected superintendent of the city schools.

Alvin N. Cody was united in marriage to Bertha Watters, the daughter
of Whitfield and Mary Elizabeth (Davis) Watters. To this union one
child has l>een born, Elizaljeth. Mrs. Cody is a native of Hackettstowm,
New Jersey, this being the native state of her parents, who came to Mich-
igan when she v/as but a little girl and settled near Ann Arbor. The family
later moved to a farm near May\ille and here she attended school and gradu-
ated in the same class from the high school as her hu.sband. She later
attended Albion College and the LTniversity of Michigan with him. Mrs.
Cody has one brother, Andrew D. Watters.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Cody were Ephraim and Elizabeth
f Antone) Watters, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, where thev

88 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

lived and died. They had three .sons who grew to maturity, W'hitheld.
Jacob and John. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Cody were Henry
and Catherine (Nmi) Davis, who were natives of New Jersey, where Mr.
Davis was engaged in farming and the himber business. They had the fol-
lowing children who gi"ew to maturity : Mary Elizabeth, Andrew, Jane and
Almira. Mrs. Cody is eligible to become a member of the Daughters of the
.\nierican Revolution.

CAPT. DAMON STEWART.

The late Capt. Damon Stewart, an honored veteran of the Civil War
and for many years one of the best-known and most influential residents of
the city of Flint, was a native son of Genesee county and lived there all his
life. He was born on a pioneer fann on the present site of the town of
Flint, February 5, 1834, son of .\ddison and Lucy (Tilden) Stewart, natives
of New York state, who were among the earliest settlers in the Flint neigh-
borhood, where they spent their last days.

Addison Stewart was of Revolutionary stock, his father. Charles Ste-
wart, from Asliiield, Massachusetts, having been a "minute man" at the age
of seventeen, and the latter's father. John Stewart, who was in the French
and Indian wars, was also a lieutenant in the patriot army. Addison Stewart
was born at Truxton, New York. Alay 29. 1811, and was married, .Vpril
23, 1833, to Lucy Tilden. who was born in Avon, Genesee county. New-
York, September 28, 181 1. She was the daughter of Thomas Stillman and
Lucy Catherine (Kingsbury) Tilden, the fomier born at Sandisfield. Massa-
chusetts, May 10, 1782, and the latter at Sandisfield, Massachusetts, on May
10, 1789, the daughter of Lemuel and Lucy (Crittenden) Kingsbury. Lem-
uel Kingsbury served in the Revolutionary War, being a member of the
Eighteenth Connecticut ^lilitia Regiment, Capt. Benjamin Hutchins' com-
pany, in the New York campaign in 1776. Lucy C. Kingsbury, his first
wife, died in 1803, and in 1816 he married Mrs. Louise (Hutchins) Smith,
daughter of Colonel Hutchins. He moved to Ohio, where his death oc-
curred on December 20. 1844. Thomas S. Tilden came from Knowlesville,
New York, to Michigan in 1822 and settled on a farm in the vicinity of
Ann Arbor, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring
on August 25. 1S59. His widow then made her home with her son, Syhes-
ter, until the death of the latter, after which she lived with her other chil-
dren, spending the last years of her life in Flint, though her death occurred

't^a^

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 89

ai Lindfii in 1870, wliile on a visit to her son, Lemuel, at that place. Thomas
S. Tilden and wife were the jiarents ot six ehildren, Lemuel, Lovisa, Laura,
Luc_y, Eliza and Sylvester.

Following their marriaj;e, in April, 1833, Addison Stewart and his
wife came to Alichigan, arriving at Flint on .May i following. They began
housekeeping in_ a part of Judge Stowe"s house, but presently, when they
secured their farm adjoining the ^■illage on the north, they erected a log
cabin there and established their home. The tract of land that Addison
Stewart homesteaded was partly cleared, thirty acres of it having formerly
been used from time immemorial as corn land by the Indians. He thus
gained an early start in his farming o])erations and soon came to be recog-
nized as one of the most substantial farmers in that section. He and his
wife were early members of the Presbyterian church at Flint and in all ways
were helpful and useful in the new community, .\ddison Stewart died in
1848. He and his wife were the jiarents of seven children, those besides
the immediate subject of this review being, Harriet; Laura E. ; Lieut. Will-
iam Charles, who was killed at Resaca, Georgia, during the Civil War;
Ann; Richard A., who was killed at Jonesboro, Georgia, while ser\'ing his
countr)- during the Civil War, and Catherine.

Damon Stewart's youth was spent on the pioneer paternal farm on the
outskirts of Flint. In 1843 t'le family mo\ed into Flint, where young
Damon liegan clerking in "The Old Scotch Store," which occupied the site
now occu])ied by Lhe Copeman sto\e store, on the corner of North Saginaw
street and Second a\enue. He grew to manhood here and became identified
actively with the growing city's business interests. Upon the breaking out
of the Civil ^Var he enlisted, on April 19, 1861. for the three-months service
in Company F, Second Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, being mus-
tered in on May 25, 1861, having left for Fentonville and Detroit on April
30th. L4ion the termination of that term of enlistment, he re-enlisted and
rose from the rank of private to corporal and then to sergeant. On May s,
1862, he was wounded in the hand during an engagement at Williamsburg,
Virginia, and was honorably discharged on August 6, 1862, being mustered
out as adjutant of the Twenty-third Infantry. In the meantime, he had
been very active in recruiting for this regiment, and on the above date he
was commissioned first as lieutenant and adjutant of that regiment, and
mustered in as captain on September 11, 1862. Captain Stewart served
with his regiment until his final discharge on March 6, 1865, and upon the
completion of his military service returned to Flint, where he engaged in
the drv-eoods and wool-mill business. He married in the fall of i86'7. and

90 GENESEK COUNTY, MICIIICAN.

later came into possession of his father's old homestead farm on the edge
of Flint, which he began to operate, though continuing to make his home
m Flint. He later devoted his whole attention to his farm and was thus
engaged at the time of his death, on December 4, 1905, he then being at the
age of seventy-one years and ten months. Captain Stewart was one of the
original Republicans in Michigan, Init in later life devoted his political alleg-
iance to the Prohibition party, being one of the most ardent advocates of the
temperance cause in this section of tlic state. He and his wife were orig-
inaily I'resbyterians, Init later united witli the Congregational church, and
for years Captain Stewart was active in the Sunday schools of lx)th churches.

On October 23, 18(17, ^''^>i■ Damon Stewart was married to Frances
McQuigg, who was Ijorn at Barton, Tioga county. New York, on January
25, 1841. the daughter of Fdmund Hobart and Eliza Jane (Hall) McOuigg,
natives of that same state, who were the parents of two children, Mrs.
Stewart having had a sister, who married William Moore, of Los .\ngeles,
('alifornia The mother of these cliildren died in California, and Edmund
H. McQuigg later married again :ind in 1856 came to Micliigan. locating in
I'lint, where he engaged in the luniiier business, owning and operating the
lumber-mill after\\ards owned by !\lr. Crapo. He made his home in a
house that stood on the site of the present postoffice, and there his death
occurred in 1887, being then past eighty years of age. Edmund H. ?\IcOuigg
was the fourth in order of birth of the ten children born to his parents.
Daniel and Charlotte (Hobart) McOuigg, the former a native of New
Hampshire and the latter of Connecticut, whose last days were spent in
Spencer, New ^'ork. The other children of the family were Daniel, Charles,
John, Jesse, Estlier, Mindwell, Eliza, Charlotte and George. The senior
Daniel McOuigg was a son of John McOuigg, a soldier in the patriot army
during the Revolutionary ^\'ar, I'.Iiza Jane ( Halli McOuigg was a daugh-
ter of Lewis and ALary (Cure} ) Hall, residents of Orange county. New
York, who moved to Cayuga county, same state, where they spent their last
days, and who also were the parents of ten children, Jonathan, Hervey S..
Mary Ann. Eliza Jane, Phoebe Elmira, Frances Augusta, Hannah Rosemond,
.Susan Emily, Margaret Antoinette and Gilbert Lewis. Mrs. Mary (Corey)
Hall was a daughter of Jonathan Corey, who was a soldier in the patriot
army during the War of the Revolution. Lewis Hall was a son of James
Hall, who also was a soldier in the patriot army.

To Capt. Damon and 1^" ranees (McOuigg) Stewart si.x children were
boni, namely: Hobart A., liom on December 6, 1868, who, on May 18,
1904. married ^larv C. Dc>\e\'. and died on October 22. 1915; i\Iabel, boni

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 9I

December 28, 1870, a teacher in the kinderoarten schools of FHiit ; Lucy
Tilden, born December 18, 1873, wiio is living- in Flint: William C, lx>ni
March 10, 1876, a well known attorney of Plint, who is mentioned elsewhere
in this work: Bertha, horn April 18, 1879, became the wife of Dr. Frederick
D. Striker, and is now living; at (irant's Pass, Oregon, and Frances E., bom
January 13, 1882, a teacher of doincstic science in the schools of Chicago.
Mrs. Frances M. Stewart is slill living at her pleasant home in Flint, where
she enjoys many evidences of the high regard in which she is held by the
entire community.

FDMUND A. BRANCH.

One of the leading educators of Genesee cotinty is Edmiuid A. Branch,
superintendent of the Otisville schools for a decade. Faithfulness to duty
and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance
a man's interest than wealth and advantageous circiunstances, have been
dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and suc-
cess worthily attained. He was bom in Forest township, Genesee coimty,
November 9, 1868, and is a son of James Andrew and Julia (Hayward)
Branch. The father was born in the state of New York, and when a small
boy his parents brought him to Genesee county, Michigan. The father fol-
lowed his trade of stone-mason in Flint, but later returned to New York,
where he died, the mother then coming back to Genesee county, where she
spent the rest of her life with her son, James Andrew. Three of her sons
enlisted for service in the Union army. James Andrew upon reaching
maturity, married Julia Hayward, who was born in Ontario. Canada, from
which province she came with her parents, when ten years of age, to Forest
township, Genesee county, Michigan. Her father was a millwright by trade.
Mr. and Mrs. Branch located on a fami in Forest township, where the)' are
still living. They are the parents of nine childrai, namely: Edmund A.,
of this sketch; Harry lives in Flint; William makes his home in Bay City,
Michigan; Ruby lives in Battle Creek; Julian D. is deceased; Roy is at
home; Josephine is the wife of Bruce Ferguson, of Battle Creek; Lula is
the wife of Jay Fox, of Flint; Lee lives in Flint.

Edmund A. Branch received his primary education in the district schools,
then went to Aim Arbor and took a preparatory course, and when only seven-
teen years of age he began his career as teacher. He taught three terrfts in

02 GEXKSEF. CUL'XTY, MICHICAN.

the district schools of I'orest township, tlien taufjht in the Otisville high
school two years, after ^^■hich he was superintendent of the schools at Otter
Lake for five years; then he was for five years superintendent of the schools
at Hadley, and nine years superintendent at Otisville ; then returned to Had-
ley as superintendent for three years. He came back to Otisville in 1914
and has since been a superintendent of the schools here. He has done much
to encourage a better system of schools in Genesee county and has kept well
abreast of the times in educational work. His services have been eminentlv
satisfacton- from the first.

Mr. Branch was married on August J3, j8()i, to Mabel J. Merriam, a
daughter of Susan M. Merriam. a widow. To this union four children have
been bom. namely: Charles Andrew was graduated from the Flint high
school and attendee! the engineering department of Northern University at
Ada, Ohio ; Ralph was graduated from the Hadley high school and from the
creamery department of the Michigan Agricultural College; Marian and
Hira are attending school.

^N'fr. Branch owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres
in Forest township. Politically, he is a Republican and takes an active
interest in party affairs. He was county school examiner for four years,
township clerk of Forest township for four years, and has also been a mem-
ber of the village council, i-'or the past year he has been president of the
Genesee Countv Athletic Association.

HERMAN HUGHES.

Herman Hughes, secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Her-
man Hughes Lumber Company at Flint, is a native son of Genesee county and
has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in J\It. iMorris township,
August 5, 1888, son of Frank and Margaret (Daly) Hughes, both of whom
were born in that same township, meml>ers of pioneer families in that part
of the county and the latter of whom is still li\ing. making her home in
the town of Mt. Morris.

Frank Hughes was the elder of the two sons born to his parents. John
Hughes and wife, early settlers in Mt. Morris township, he having had a
brother. William. The mother of these sons died at a comparatively earlv
age and John Hughes married again, four children 1>eing born to this second
union, Thomas, luhvard. Margaret and ^fary. Frank Hughes was reared

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 93

t(i the life of a farmer and I)ecanie the invner of a farm of one huiulred and
twenty acres in his home township, where he spent the rest of his hfc. He
married Margaret Daly, who was also horn in Mt. Morris township, daugh-
ter of Christopher and Julia (Gahan) Daly, earl)- settlers of that township,
where they still live, at ripe old ages, and to whom eleven children were
i)orn, of whom Airs. Hughes was the seventh in order of hirth, the others
heing Thomas, Lawrence, Edward, Linus, Mary, Elizabeth, Jeannette, Julia,
James and Francis. Frank Hughes died at his home on the Stanley road in
1897, he then heing about forty-six years of age, and his widow, who still
survives, is now making her home in the village of Mt. Morris. She is a
member of the Catholic church, as was her husband, and their children were
reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the sub-
ject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth, the others being as fol-
low : John, Charles, Julia, who married Edward Curran, of Genesee town-
ship, this count}-; Mary, wife of William Beach, of the village of Mt. Morris;
Rose, wife of Patrick Callahan, of Flint, and Raymond, who died at Mt.
Morris on May 8, 191 6.

Herman Hughes was reared on the paternal farm in ]\[t. Morris town-
ship, receiving his elementary education in the district school in the neigh-
borhood of his home, and supplemented the same by a course in the high
school at Mt. Morris, upon the completion of which he entered Assumption
College at Sandwich, Ontario, from which he was graduated in 1905. Upon
his return from college he entered the employ of the Randall Lumber Com-
pany at Flint and remained with that concern for alxjut ten years, becoming
thoroughly familiar with the details of the lumber business as related to this
section of the state. On December 21, 1914, he organized the Herman
Hughes Lumber Company, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, C.
.\. Houran, president, and Herman Hughes, secretary-treasurer and general
manager, and has ever since been engaged in business on his own account.

On Septemljer 21, 1909, Herman Hughes was united in marriage to
Catherine Doherty, who was born in the city of Flint, December 11, 1886,
daughter of Cornelius and Johanna (Ryan) Doherty, the latter of whom
died in 1899 and the former of whom is still living at Flint, being now
employed in the Buick factory. Cornelius Doherty and his wife had five
children, who grew to maturity, Francis, Patrick, John, Catherine and Pauline.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes three children have he^cn born, Mary, Elizabeth,
Thomas John and Paul Cornelius. Mr. Hughes is a Democrat in his poli-
tical allegiance and he and his wife are members of the St. Michael's Catliolic
church at Flint. ?i[r. Hughes is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

94 GF.NESEF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

COL. 1':dward h. Thomson.

Edward Hughes Thoma.s was bom at Kendal, in the lake county,
Westmoreland, England, June 15, 1810. His parents were Edward Hughes
and Mary Thomson, his wife. His mother died while he w-as quite young
and his name was transixjsed to Edward Hughes Thomson. His father, who
was English Ixirn. moved to Boston, Massachu.setts, while the subject of this
sketch was a small boy. When he had reached the proijer age, he was sent
to school at the academy at White Plains, New York, for several years.
Later he sailed before the mast for two years, but then, deciding to educate
himself for the law, he entered the law office of Millard Fillmore at Buffalo.
When he was twent\ -two years old, having l^een duly admitted to the bar.
lie located at Buftalii, but soon removed to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1836-37
Michigan received a large numl>er of immigrants from other states and
among them was Colonel Thomson, who reached this state in the spring of
1837 and located in Atlas, which was then a part of Lapeer county.

Governor Stevens G. Mason, Michigan's first governor, appointed Mr.
Thomson prosecuting attorney of Lapeer county. He remained there but one
year, however, when he remo\ed to Flint and entered into a law partnership
with John Jjartow, who was then registrar of the United States land office
at Flint.

Among the first lawyers who came to the little town of Flint were Mr.
Kugg and John T.artow, experienced, able lawyers, coming from different
localities, but with a kindred purpose, to escape the influence of conviviality,
which at that time permeated all classes in older settlements. Men of liberal
education, with culture and refinement; gracious and urbane in manner, the\-
gave a tone and trend to legal practice quite unusual in small towns, where
generally the pettifogger, with little knowledge of law and less of general
culture, thought the man who could use the most abusive language to his
opjionent in the case was the best lawyer. A little later came William Fenton
and Levi \\alker, men with profound knowledge of the law and gentle,
dignified manner; si j that it ha])|)cned early Flint escaped the blatant lawyers.

In 1845-4'! Mr. Thomsun was prosecuting attorney for Genesee countv.
In 1847 lis ^^■'''^ elected to the state Senate, his district embracing Genesee,
Oakkmd, Lapeer, Shiawassee and Tuscola counties and the entire upper
peninsula. lie was the father of the bill which provided for the location
of the institution for the deaf, dumb and blind in Flint and the insane asylum
at Kalamazoo. By his activity in the advocacy of a foreign emigration bill
he attracted the favorable notice of Governor Ransom and was appointed

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 95

State ininiigration agent, with heacl(|uarters at Xew York city. Subsequeiitl\-
liis headquarters were changed to Stutt.gart, Germany, and In- his indefati-
gable efforts he was directly responsible for the removal of over twenty thou-
sand hard-working Germans to the state. When the War of the Rebellion
broke out. Governor Blair appointed him a member of the state militarv
board and, later' Colonel Thomson was made president of the board.

With all his busy life. Colonel Thomson always found ample time to
cultivate the graces of life and, as a social, genial gentleman, was beloved h\
a host of friends. He was a ripe Shakespearean .scholar and his magniticent
.Shakespearean library, which now, through the munificence of the late James
McMillan, .graces the University of Michigan, is one of the finest private
collections ever made in the Central states. In 1878-9 Colonel Thomson
served the city of Flint as its mayor. He died on February 2, 1886. He
was twice married. His first wife was Mary Bemis, of Buffalo, New York,
by whom he had one daughter, Mary, afterwards Mrs. A. B. Witherbee, and
one son, John R. Thomson. In 1840 he married Sarah Teresa Bush, of
FHnt, and to this union one son, Fdward H. Thomson, Jr., was born, and
who died November i, 1889, John R. Thomson having died some years
before.

MRS. SARAH TFR1<:SA THOMSON.

.Mrs. Sarah Teresa Thomson, wife of Col. F. H. Thomson, was born
July 10, 1818, at Brighton (near Rochester), New Y^ork state. Her par-
ents, David and Laura A. Bush, were of stanch, sturdy New England stock.
She inherited from her father a character almost rugged in its straightfor-
ward uprightness. She enjoyed a course of study in Leroy (New York)
lY-niale Seminary under the tutelage of Mrs. Ingham Stouten, an eminent
instructress of young women. This was one of the early schools affordiui^
ailvanced education for women. In 1836 her father removed with his famih
from Rochester to Shiawassee county, Michigan, and from thence Mr.s.
Thomson made her way to Flint, where she opened a school for young ladies.

For nearly fifty years Mrs. Thomson lived in Flint and all this time
sjie was more or less a teacher in Biblical and historical studies,, continual! \
iliffusing an atmosphere of intelligence, culture and devout religious thoughts,
in 1840 sb.e was married to Edward H. I'homson and at once her home be-
came the center of the social life of the growing city. Without question, n<>
l)erson exerted more I>eneficent and wide-felt influence upon the community.

96. GENESEE COUNTY, MICHTGAX.

She was foremost in every effort of education and uplift to others; foremost
in every good word and work for benevolence and helpfulness. Her grand
native intelligence, enriched by broad culture and extended travel, together
with a home filled with rare books and treasures of art, was ever freely and
readily used for the pleasure and profit of all who sought.

Perhaps Mrs. Thomson's most distinguishing characteristic was her
sympathetic nature — possessing a heart large enough to feel for all suffer-
ing; far-reaching in its tenderness, even like the divine pit}-. Thus, as a
necessity, she became a shelter, a support, a defender to the sick, the helpless,
the friendless. In full measure she had the large heartedness that could
wcfp with those that wept and rejoice with those that rejoiced.

Wbeii the e.ir lieiinl bor thou it l)les.so(l hor:

When the eye ssiw her it gave witness to her.

Because she delivered the poor tliat cried:

The fatherless, also, that liad uoue to help him.

The blessing of hiui that was ready to perish raiiie ii|m,ii lier:

And she caused the widow's heart to sing for jny.

She jiut ou righteousness and it clothed her :

Her justice was as a robe and diadem.

She was eyes to tbe blind and feet was she to the lame.

\\u\ tlie eiiinso she knew not sbc se.-iivbed not.

Mrs. Thomson died on Easter day, April lo, 1887. She was survived
\)y a son, Edward H. Thomson, jr.. who died the following vear.

ROBERT T. WH.ALEY

Robert J. A\haley, president of the Citizens Commercial and Sa\ings
i^ank of Flint, has been a resident of that city for nearly fifty years and
during that time has exerted a wide influence upon the financial and indus-
trial life of this community. In 1880 he was elected president of the Citizens
National Bank of Flint, which later was re-incorporated as the Citizens
Commercial and Savings I'ank. and has 1)een president of that strong finan-
cial institution e\er since, a period of thirty-six years, probably a record for
continuous tenure in such an office in this state. He has not only l>een suc-
cessful in his own business affairs, but has contributed largely of his time
and talents to the public welfare and in that connection has rendered a val-
uable service, long having been recognized as one of the ablest financiers in
Michi.gan. He formerlv was a meirilier of the board of trustees of the state

^^fnKa^

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 97

charitable schools, including the school for the deaf at Mint, the school for
the blind at Lansing and the state public school at Coldwater. For the two
years of his administration he returned to the state twenty-eight thousand
dollars of the appropriation for the charitable institutions, although the
maintenance of the schools during these years was as good if not better than
e\er before. This act was so unique in political history and so wholly unex-
pected that it attracted considerable attention and comment at the time. As
a result of this action, Mr. Whaley was singled out as a target and it long
afforded him cause for merriment to reflect that as a reward for his economy
in the state's behalf he was legislated out of office. For many years Mr.
Whaley was the keeper of finance for the Knights of the Maccabees, an
organization that has disbursed more than twenty millions of dollars among
its beneficiaries, and so efficiently did he discharge the duties of that office
that his re-election from year to year was always taken for granted, there
being no opposing candidate for the place until he finally declined to serve
further. In the "tents" of the Maccabees, far and wide, he became known
as "the man who never talks." Mr. Whaley's services also have been con-
tinually in demand by various civic and Corporate factors in the community
life and he is or has been a director in numerous important concerns in and
about Flint. Beginning his service in this community as an associate of his
father-in-law, the senior Alexander McFarlan, in the lumber business at a
time when lumbering and its allied industries formed the chief industry
hereabout, Mr. Whaley has been a witness to the wonderful development
that has marked the afifairs of this region within the past generation, a de-
velopment that has lifted Flint from a straggling village, such as it was at
the time of his arrival there nearly a half century ago, to the compact, well-
built city it is today — one of the most important manufacturing centers in
the state — and he has been one of the most vital factors in that development,
a fact gratefully recognized throughout this entire community.

Robert J- Whaley was born in Castile township, Wyoming count^•,
New York, December 8, 1840, the son of Jeremiah M. and Parrpelia Ann
(Flint) Whaley, both natives of that same county, the former bom in Cas-
tile township and the latter in Pike township. They were the parents of two
children, the subject of this sketch having had a sister, Janet, now deceased,
who was the wife of Stephen J. Clewell. Jeremiah M. Whaley was born
in a country tavern kept by his parents, Robert and Janet (McKay) Whaley,
the former of whom was born in Rhode Island and the latter in Scotland,
she having come to thi'-- country with her parents when a child. Robert
(7^)

98 GENESEI- COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Whaley, who was a soldier in the War of i8i_', Iniilt the first saw-mill in
the town of Castile, New York, He also engaged in farming and conducted
a wayside tavern. To him and his wife two sons were born, JMordecai and
Jeremiah. The latter, the father of Robert J. \Vhaley, continued to conduct
the old Whaley tavern until the death of his wife, when he moved to Wis-
consin and located at Hudson, where he engaged in the mercantile business
and where he died at the age of seventy years, in 1884, a few days after
the election of Grover Cle\eland to the Presidency. He was an ardent
Democrat and a great admirer of Mr. Cleveland and the excitement incident
to the announcement of his favorite's election brought on a fatal stroke of
paralysis. During the Pierce administration Jeremiah Whaley served as
postmaster of Hudson, ^^'isconsin. and was at one time a candidate for the
legislature from a district that comprised the west side of Wisconsin up
to Lake Superior. He was married twice after going West and to each
of these latter unions two children were lx)rn, as there were to his first
union. His first wife, mother of Robert J. Whaley, was a daughter of
Samuel and Samantha (Ellis) I'lint, lx)th natives of New York state, whose
lives were spent in Wyoming county, that state. Samuel Flint was I>orn on
Bowman's creek, Canajoharie, Montgomery county. New York, about 1778.
He became the owner of a thousand acres of land in Wyoming county and
was regarded as one of the wealthiest men in that section of the state. Ik-
died in 1858, at the age of eighty years, and his widow, who was born about
1806. died in 1861. They were the parents of eleven children, Deborah,
Smith and David (twins), James, Daniel, Emmeline. Samuel, rarnielia
Ann, Jerome B., Eugene N. and Marie Louise.

Robert T. Whalev was but eight years old when his mother died and
he was taken care of by his maternal grandparents when his father went
West. Two years later his father returned to New York after his children
and thev accompanied him to Hudson, Wisconsin, where Robert J. Whaley
grew to manhood among the Indians, who formed the greater part of the
population of that section at that time. Upon the death of his uncle, Mor-
decai. he was called back to New York by his grandmother to take charge
of the extensive farming interests of the family, and he remained with, iiis
grandmother until her death, four years later, after which he returned to
Wisconsin and was there engaged in farming for a couple of years. While
in New York, Mr. Whaley had become acquainted with Mary McFarlau. of
Flint, Michigan, who was visiting kinsfolk in the neighborhotxl of his gr.and-
niother's home, and on January 24. 1867. he married Miss McFarlan. On
the 1st of October, following, he took up his residence at Mint, entering the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 99

employ of his father-in-law. Alexander. McFarlan, which close and intiniate
association continued until the latter's death, in 1881. Alexander McFarlan
was for years one of the most conspicuous figures in the financial and indus-
trial life of Genesee county and one of the most active factors in the early
growth and development of the city of Flint. He was born at Amsterdam,
New York, and was married at Caledonia, in that state, to Margaret Ann
Simpson, who was born at Caledonia. In 1850 he came to Michigan and
engaged in the lumber business at Flint, quickly taking a prominent part
in that then flourishing industry in this part of the state. He prospered and
liecame connected with various enterprises, including" the banking business,
and was for years one of Flint's most useful and influential citizens. Alex-
ander McFarlan and wife were the parents of four children, Jennie, Man,-.
.\lexander and Anna, the two first of whom were born in Caledonia. Mrs.
\\lialey's birth occurred in March, 1846, she therefore having been but a
child when she came to this state with her parents. Mrs. McFarlan died
at Jacksonville, Florida, whither she had gone seeking restoration of health,
in 1881, and Mr. McFarlan died at his home in Flint three months later,
.\pril 22, 1881.

Alexander McFarlan was one of the leading stockholders in the old
Citizens National Bank at Flint at the time Mr. Whaley became associated
with the McFarlan interests in that city and he encouraged his son-in-law
to acquire a thorough knowledge of the banking business. Beginning as a
bookkeeper and collector in the bank, Mr. Whaley became thoroughly con-
versant with the business of the bank and in 1880 was elected president of
the concern. Upon the reorganization of the old Citizens National Bank
and the organization of the Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank. Mr.
W'haley was elected president of the latter concern and has thus been presi-
dent of the bank continuously for the past thirty-six 3'ears. In addition to
his other extensive interests, Mr. Whaley also is activeh' interested in real
estate affairs and has done a large business in that line in and about Flint.

To Robert J. and Mary (McFarlan) Whaley one child has been born,
a son, Donald McFarlan, who died at the age of ten years. Mrs. Whaley
is a member of St. Paul's Fpiscopal church at Flint and Mr. Whaley is an
attendant on the services of that church. Both have for many years been
looked upon as among the leaders in the social and cultural activities of their
home town and earnest promoters of all movements having to do with the
betterment of general conditions hereabout. Mr. Whaley is a Democrat
and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political afifairs. In
1912 he was his party's candidate for treasurer of state. He is a tliirt\'-

U)0 GENliSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

second-degree Mason, ;iffiliated with the consistory of the Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite, at Detroit, and is a noble of Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in that same city. His local Masonic
affiliations are with Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons ; Wash-
ington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and Genesee Valley Com-
mandery No. 15, Knights Templar. He also is a member of Flint Lodge
No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in the affairs of all
these organizations takes a warm interest.

CHARLES E. TAYLOR.

Charles E. Taylor, who for nearly two decades has been connected with
the banking business at Clio, was born in Thetford township, Genesee county,
February 24, 1874, the son of Henry J. and Elvira (Sweet) Taylor. Henry
J. Taylor was born in the same township and county on May 24, 1847, ^"^
his death occurred on November 26, 1904. He was a farmer and lived prac-
tically his whole life in Genesee county. Elvira Sweet was boni in Russell,
Ohio, on November 19, 1856, but from her ninth year lived in Thetford
township, Genesee county. On January 12, 1916, she became the wife of
Frank A. Wheeler, a prosperous farmer, and they are living at Clio. To
Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Taylor were born eight children, as follow : Charles
E., subject of tliis sketch; Elmer H., a farmer of Thetford township; Ben-
jamin R., a farmer living near Ma>'ville, Michigan; Jesse R., a farmer living
at Flint; Mrs. Viste AL DeCamp, whose husband is a farmer in iMuskegon
county, this state; Gladys A. Park, of IMayville, Michigan; Mrs. Clara B.
Mitcheltree, whose husband is a jobber and carpenter at Flint, and Florence
M., who is living with her mother.

The subject's paternal grandfather, John Taylor, was born in England
and came to the United States when young. Here, his time was divided be-
tween music, farming and politics. He married after coming to this country
and became the father of six children, namely: Almina, Adeline, George,
Henry J., Myron and James A. The maternal grandparents of the subject
were Harmon C. and Rebecca (Woodberry) Sweet, both of whom are
deceased. Harmon C. Sweet came from a family of fourteen children, the
parental home being in Ashtabula, Ohio. The origin of the family dated
back to the early English settlers. Rebecca Woodberry was a native of
Ohio, but sjient the greater part of her life in Genesee county. To Harmon

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. lOI

and Rebecca Sweet were born seven children, namely : Alva C, Elvira,
Cora A.. Emma, Laura, Emeline and Angeline, twins.

Charles E. Taylor was educated in the district schools of Thetford
township and in the Clio high school. His first occupation was that of teach-
ing school, in which he was engaged for several years. In 1899 he entered
the employ of Charles H. May & Company, bankers, at Clio, with whom he
has been associated continuously since, though the business is now conducted
under the name of the Clio State Bank, of which he is cashier. Mr. Taylor
has always taken a live interest in the welfare of the community, though he
has assumed an independent attitude in politics. He has served as village
treasurer for three years and is at present a member of the village council.
He is a memlx?r of the Independent Order of Foresters and of the Royal
Arcanum, filling chairs in both orders.

Mr. Taylor was married to Esther Ella Brown, who was born in Thet-
ford township, Genesee county, February 22, 1873, the daughter of Charles
and Georgia ( Woodman) Brown. Her parents originally came from Niag-
ara Falls, New York, and here followed the occupation of general farming.
They are lx)th now deceased, the father having died in 1904.

EDWIN B. LINABURY.

Edwin B. Linabury, secretary of the Board of Commerce at Flint, is a
native son of Michigan, born in the city of Pontiac, April 20, 1875, son of
Henry M. and Louisa (Going) Linabury, both l>om in that same city and
the former of whom is still living there.

Henry M. Linabury is the eldest of the five children bom to Henry C.
and Frances (Mattison) Linabury, who were early residents of Pontiac, the
other children of that family having been Alljert, Carrie, Myra and Lena.
Henry C. Linabury was one of the early merchants in Pontiac and also was
for some years a commercial traveler. He lived to be well advanced in
years, as did his wife. Henr}- M. I,inabury was reared to commercial pur-
suits and for many years was the proprietor of a drug store at Pontiac.
later becoming identified with the Aeiiicle industry. His wife died in 1908,
she then being sixty-three years of age. and he is still living at Pontiac. He
is a memlier of the ^Methodist church, as was his wife. They were the par-
ents of four children, of whom the subject of tliis sketch was the second in
order of birth, the others being as follow: Benjamin, who died when seven

I02 GENESEE COUNIV, MICHIGAN.

years ot age: John E.. of Bristol, Connecticut, and Carrie L., wlio is at home
with her fatlier. The mother of these children was the daughter and onl}-
child of Benjamin and Matilda (Carter) Going, natives of Massachusetts
and early settlers in Pontiac, where for years Benjamin Going was engaged
in the hardware business and where he died, when past sixty years of age.
His widow survived him nian\- \ears, she being above ninety years of age
at the time of her death, lienjamin Going had been i)re\ iously married and
Ijy his first marriage had a daughter, Helen.

I'ollowing his graduation from the Pontiac high school in 1894, Edwin
B. Linabury became identified with the vehicle business controlled by his
father and for ten years acted as purchasing agent for that concern. He
then went with another concern in that city and was connected with it, in
the capacity of purchasing agent, until 1909, when he went to Rockford.
Illinois, and was for some time purchasing agent for a concern there. He
then returned to Pontiac and there was engaged in the cost and purchasing
department of the Oakland Motor Car Company until January i, 1912, when
he entered upon the office of secretary of the Board of Commerce in his
home town and was thus engaged until August 21, 191 5. In the meantime
his work in that capacity had attracted wide attention and on the date last
mentioned he went to New York City to accept a position in the commercial
organization department of the American City Bureau, but did not remain
there long, for he presently was called back to Michigan and on I'cbruarv
14, 1916, entered upon his present duties as secretary of the Board of Com-
merce at b'lint, at the same time moving to that city, where he now resides.

C)n .\pril 19, 1899. Edwin D. Linabury was united in marriage to Eva
M. Kelh'. who was born at Pontiac, this state, August 29, 1875. She is the
daughter of James and Mary (Wilkinson) Kelly, the former a native of
.Scotland and the latter of England, who had come to Michigan with their
respective parents many years ago and were married in this state. James
Kellv died at his home in Pontiac some years ago, and his widow is still
living there. They were the parents of six children, of whom ]\Irs. Lina-
bury was the fourth in order of birth, the others being James (deceased).
Mary, William D.. Grace and Maude (deceased); To Mr. and Mrs. Lina-
1>ury two sons have i)een Iwrn, Albert R. and Edwin B. Mr. and Mrs.
i.inaburv are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is inde-
pendent. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

nENESEF, COUNTY, MICHIGAN. IO3

.AfARSHALL M, FRISBIE.

A'larshall M. I'Visbit-, mie of the l)est-knc)wn of the younger nieinbers ot
the Ijar at Flint, \\ho has been practicing law in that city since 1907, with
offices in the Dryden building, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived
here all his life. He was born on a farm in Genesee township, October 14,
1883, son of Nathaniel H. and Mary J. (Bragg) Frisbie, the former a native
of this state and the latter of New Hampshire, who were the parents of
three children, of whom the subject of this sketch, the last-born, is now the
only survivor; Ernest, the first-born having died iii infancy, and Luna C, who
married Al:)ram L. Gay, also being now deceased.

Nathaniel H. Frisbie was lx)rn in Oakland county, this state, son of
Philip and Calista (Farman) Frisbie, natives of New York state and early
settlers in Oakland county, where their last days were spent. Philip Frisbie
was an energetic pioneer, held various minor office, was justice of the peace
tor some years and served a term in the Michigan state Legislature. He
died at the age of forty -nine years and his widow lived to be eighty. They
were the parents of nine children, William. Atwell, Spencer, James, Marcus
B., Madison, Nathaniel, George and Carrie. In his youth Nathaniel Frisbie
left the home farm in Oakland county and went to New Hampshire, where
he married Mar)- J. Bragg, daughter of Alba M. and Susan (iVllen) Bragg,
the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New Hampshire, who for
years were influential residents of the neighborhood of Alstead, in the latter
state. Alba M. Bragg was a cousin of General Bragg, of Civil War fame.
He and his wife were the parents of seven children, Susanne, Mary, Einily,
Alma, Nellie, Marshall and Benjamin, the latter of whom died when a small
bo\-. Alma Bragg came to Genesee county and married John Chesnut, now
deputy sheriff' of this county. Not long after his marriage Nathaniel H.
l'"risbie returned to Michigan and bought a farm in Tuscola county, where he
made his home for several years, at the end of which time he came to this
county, about 1881, and bought an eighty-acre farm in Genesee township,
later moving to Fenton township and thence to the town of Fenton, but
prcsentl}' returned to his farm, where he lived until 1897, in which year he
moved to Flint, where he engaged in the real estate business and where he
spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on March 29, 1913, he then
l)eing sixty-three years and ten months of age. His widow, who was born
on Jime 15, 1850, still survives him. She is a Baptist, aS was her husband.
He was a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

Marshall M. Frisbie was fourteen years of age when his parents moved

104 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

to Flint and he was graduated from the high school in that city in 1903. He
then entered the University of Michigan and was graduated from the law
department of that institution in 1907. On June 15 of that same year lie was
admitted to the bar and e\er since has been engaged in the practice of his
profession at Flint. Air. Frisbie is a Republican and is serving his third term
as court commissioner. He and his wife are members of the Court Street
Methodist Episcopal church and he is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight
Templar, as well as a member of the Indei>endent Order of Odd I-'ellows,
chaplain of Friendship lodge of the latter order.

On August II, 1909, Marshall M. l'"risl)ie was united in marriage to
Minnie E. Baldwin, who was born in Mundy township, this county, Decem-
Ijer 21, 1885, daughter of Morgan G. and Sarah P. (Ormiston) Baldwin.
lx)th natives of Michigan, the former born in this county and the latter in
Wayne county, who are now making their home in Flint. They had two
children. Mrs. l""risbie having had a brother. Howard, who was accidentally
killed by a fall from a horse when he was eleven years old. Mrs. Frisbie's
paternal grandparents, Morgan and Eunice (Dart) Baldwin, had five chil-
dren, Matthew, Morgan, Eunice, Susan and a son who died in youth.
Grandfather Ormiston also had five children, Samuel, John, Sarah, Mrs. Bel-
ford and Mrs. Melvina O. Simmons. To Mr. and Mrs. Frisbie three chil-
dren have I)een liorn. Howard A.. I, una P. and Cr\stal M.

1-FNTOX REUBI-N McCRFERY.

Fenton R. McCrecrv, of l-'Iint, Michigan, for many years, actively con-
nected with the United Slates consular anil diplomatic senice, is a native
son of Flint, his birth having occurred there on April 21. 1866. He is a
son of Col. William Barker and Ada B. (Fenton) ]\IcCreery, the fomier
of whom was born at Mt. Morris. New York, and the latter at Fenton, this
county, and who for years were numbered among the prominent and influen-
tial residents of Flint, wiiere their last days were spent. They were the par-
ents of four children, of whom l-"enton R. was the first born, the otiiers Ijeing
Adelaide Fenton. who became the wife of Jerome H. Rcmick, and is now
living in Detroit: Katharine, the wife of Matthew Davison. Jr., of IHint,
and Howard, who. died in infancy.

Col. William B. McCreery. who died al iiis iionie in Flint in 189O. had
been a resident of this county since he was two years old and had been a
potent factor in the development of this region. He was the son of Reuben
and .Susan (Barker) McCreery. both natives of the state of New York, the

TM^W^^^'^t*^

'sSsC;*t?S^?i£^

GKNESEE COUXTY, MICHIGAN. IO5

former born in i8oS, and the latter, a daughter of a veteran of the War of
1812, boni at South Wales, near the city of Buffalo, where she grew to
womaihood and where she was married. In 1S3S Reuben AlcCreery and
his famil}' came to Alichigan and settled in Genesee township, this county,
thus being numbered among the earliest pioneers of this part of the state.
Reuben McCreery homesteaded a farm and also started a saw-mill in the
new countr)-, being very active and influential in the development of the
community in the early days, lie was elected sheriff of Genesee county
and then moved to Flint, where he ever afterward made his home, though
continuing his saw-mill and lumbering operations. He and his wife were
among the charter members of St. Paul's Episcopal church at Flint and he
was one of the hrst vestrymen of that church, although he afterward became
identified with the Presbyterian church. He and his wife were the parents
of four children, William !>., Charles H., George B., and Julia, who became
the wife of Charles .S. Draper.

As noted alwve, William B. McCreery was but two years old when his
parents came to this count}-, and he grew to manhocKl in Flint. After com-
pleting the course in Doctor Nutting's Academy near Ann Arbor, he entered
upon the study of law at Flint, where he was admitted to the bar, and was
engaged in the practice of his profession when the Civil War broke out.
He enlisted for service in the Union ami)- in Company F, Second Regiment,
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and went lo the front as a sergeant of that
company, gradually gaining promotion until he became colonel of the
Twenty-first Regiment, Alichigan \'olunteer Infantry. He was six times
wounded and carried tvvo bullets in his body the remainder of his life. At
the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded and captured by the enemy and
taken to I.ibby prison, whence he made his escape through the historic tunnel,
he Ijeing the second man out. .After suffering many privations, he finally
rejoined his regiment and commanded the Engineer Brigade, Army of the
Cumberland, until early in T864, when lie returned home and there was mar-
ried to Ada B. Fenton, daughter of Col. William M. and Adelaide (Bird-
sail) Fenton, who had come to Michigan from New York, in 1836, and
settled in the southern part of this county at a point where the town of
I""enton, named in their honor, afterward grew up.

Col. William M. Fenton was for years one of the lea<ling lawyers of
the state of Michigan. In 1840 he was elected to represent this district in
the state- Senate and in 1848 was elected lieutenant-govemor, being re-elected
in 1850. He was appointed register of the land office at Flint by President
Pierce and in 1856 he and his family visited luu'ope. In 1858 he was

too GENESEE COrXTV. .MRHICAN.

clcctetl mayor oi I'lint ;inil was ser\ in.i; in tliat cai)acit_\- when the Civil War
liri)ke out. He wired ( io\ eriicjr i'.iair to draw on hini for five thousand
dollars to e(|ui|) the lirst company of troops called into service. Earl)' in
iiSbi he was made major of the Seventh J-tegiment, Michigan N'olunteer
Infantry, l>ut before musterinj^ he was commissioned. by Governor Blair as
C(5loneI of the Eighth Michigan, with which he went to the front and which
he commanded in some of the hardest-fought l)attles of the war. Colonel
l-'enton was the Democratic candidate for go\ ernor in the campaign in which
Coventor Crapo was elected. Upon the organization of Flint as a city he
was elected chief of the fire department and effected the organization of that
department. He presented to the cit\ the lot on which the city hall now
stands. He was one of the founders of the Citizens National Bank of Mint
and was its president. The I-'enton block, which he erected, is one of the
standing monuments to his memory in Flint. Colonel Fenton died in 1871
and his fimeral is said to have l)een the mo.st largely attended of any funeral
eNer held in this part of the state. He and his wife were the parents of four
children, those besides Airs. McCreery being as follow: Henry, deceased;
J. Rru.sh Fenton, of i-'lint, and Sarah R.,' who is deceased.

Upon the completion of his military service Col. William B. AlcCreery
returned to Flint and engaged in the general merchandise business as a mem-
ber of the firm of judd & McCreery, which occupied the corner room in
the I-'eiitoit block. In 1865 he was elected mayor of the city of Flint, serv-
ing a temi of two years. FJe later was appointed collector of internal
resenue, an office which he held for several years, after which he was elected
state treasurer, serving in this capacity until 1877. In the latter year he
i)ecanie cashier of the Citizens National Bank. For many years he was one
of the acti\e memb.ers of the state board of agriculture. In earlier days he
was a luml^ennan in Flint, with a planing-mill near the Pere Marquette
depot. He was one of the builders of the Chicago & Northeastern railroad,
between Flint and Port Huron, now a jiart of the Crand Trunk system, and
in numerous other ways took a prominent and active part in promoting the
city's interests. In 1890 Colonel McCreery was appointed United States
consul to Valparaiso, Chile, and was serving there in that capacity during
the time of the celebrated "Baltimore affair." He remained in Chile two
vears, his term of service covering the period of the Chilean revolution.
His death occurred at his home in Flint in 1896, at the age of sixty years.
He had been a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church for many years.
Colonel McCreery was twice married. His first wife, Airs. .\da B. (Fenton)
McCreerv. died on Februarv j;. 1884. and he afterward married Genevieve

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. lO/

Uecker, daugliter of Grant Decker, who was the first mayor of Flint. Mrs.
Genevieve McGreer\' sur\i\e(l licr IiusIkukI about three years, her deatli
occurring in 1899.

Fenton R. ]\IcGreery was reared at FHnt and upon tiie completion of
tiie course in the j)ublic schools of that city entered the Michigan Military
-Vcadeniy at Orchard Lake, and afterwards entered the University of Mich^
igan. in the class of 1888. On account of failing health, he then went to
New Mexico, where he spent some time in a mining district, seventy miles
from a railroad. While there he acquired a knowledge of the Spanish
language, which afterwards became valuable to him in the diplomatic service.

When his father was sent as consul to Valparaiso in 1890. Fenton
McCreery accompanied him and served as clerk in the consulate there, later
being appointed by President Harrison as secretary of the United States
legation at Santigao, Chile. I'art of the time he was acting minister
{charge d' affaires) during the Balmaceda administration, the revolution of
1891 and the difficulties with the United States growing out of the "Balti-
more'" affair. In 1897 '""^ ^\'^'' appointed by President McKinley as secre-
tary of the embassy at Mexico and served there for ten years, during three
years of which time he was acting ambassador of the United States govern-
ment. In 1907 he was appointed by President Roosevelt minister resident
and consul general to the Dominican republic and was stationed at Santa
Domingo when the government of the United States took over the collec-
tion of the customs of that revolution-ridden government. Upon his return
U) the United States he received the personal congratulations of the Presi-
dent for his service in that connection. In 1909 Mr. McCreery was
appointed by President Taft envoy extraordinarv- and minister plenipoten-
tiary to Flonduras and served in that capacity during a time of revolution
in that republic, several revolutions occurring during his term of service,
the last one of which he w-as instrumental in comixising, for which service
he received a vote of thanks from both contending parties. In 191 1 Mr.
McCreery resigned from the diplomatic service, after nearly twenty years of
continuous work in that line, and returned to his home in Flint, where he
has since given his attention chiefly to his farming interests, being the owner
of a fine farm in Mt. Morris township. I'pon retiring from the diplomatic
service Mr. McCreery ranked third in tlie list and is recognized as an expert
in matters affecting this nation's foreign affairs. In 1912 he was employed
in an advisory capacity by the committee on foreign relations of the Um"ted
States Senate, which held sessions in Washington, New Orleans, I-ouisiana.

I08 GEXnSKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

1^1 I'asd Texas, and l.ns An.i^eles, ('alifoniia. tlien imestigatin.t,' Mexican
affairs.

In i(;i,^ Mr. McCrcery traxeled in (ireecc. Egypt. Palestine, Turkev
.md tlie lialkan states. In addition to being a master of the Spanish laji-
giiage, Mr. .McCreerv also sjjeaks l-'rench, the language of diplomacy. He
has visited all the countries in this hemisphere and has made five trips to
Europe. Since his return home Mr. McCreery has often been called to the
lecture platform and his acldres.ses on subjects relating to the Latin-American
republics are considered authority on the politics and history of these coun-
tries and t!ie relations of the United States to them. He was honorary vice-
cliairman-at-large of the American peace centenary committee, which was
ajjpointed to organize celebrations, in both America and England, to cele-
brate the one hundredth anniversary of the peace treaty between P^ngland
and .America. Mr. McCreery is a Keimhlican in politics and a memlx?r of
St. Paul's Episcopal church at Flint.

GEORGE ANDREWS.

In the memorial annals of Genesee county, and particularly of the city
of Flint, there are few names held in better remembrance than that of the
late George Andrews, for many years one of the best known and most active
building contractors in that city, who died at his home there on December
27, 1895. fl's widow, one of the real pioneers of Genesee coimty, still sur-
vives, living in the old .Andrews home at No. 725 Harrison street, where
she has made her home for more than si.xty-five years. She arrived in
Flint in 1838, the year after Michigan was admitted to statehood, having
come to this stale with her parents, the journey having been made by canal
and lake l.>oats to Ohio, part of the journey from Connectiait being made
in a covered wagon. She has thus Ijeen a witness to the whole of the won-
derful development of Flint from its village days, with the e.xceptron of
a i)eriod of ten years after her father's death.

George Andrews was born in Silver Creek, New York, June i, 1827,
son of Bushnell and I'llecta (Montgomery) Andrews, natives of that state,
and was the eldest of the three sons bom to that parentage, the others being
a son, who died in infan<-y. and Marcus Bushnell Andrews, the father, was
a member of the state militia in New York, and was known by the title of
Captain. The mother of the sons above mentioned died in New York and

GENKSEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ICR)

(Japtain Andrews married Nancy lAIa^on, to which second union four chil-
dren were born, Joim, Martin, Lora and one who died in youth. At an
early day in the settlement of -Michigan, Captain Andrews came with his
second wife and his children to this state, settling at Detroit, but presently
moved to Genesee count)-, settling on a farm about seven miles north of
Flint, where he died some years later at the age of forty-four years. On
that pioneer farm George Andrews grew to manhood and then went to
Flint, where he spent the rest of his life. Upon locating at Mint Mr.
Andrews worked for a time as an iron finisher in a machine shop and then
took up the carpenter's trade, becoming a very proficient builder, and was
thus engaged the rest of his life. He married when twenty-three years of
age and in the spring following built a house for himself; there he made
his permanent home, and in that house his widow continues to make her
home. Though reared in the Episcopal church, Mr. Andrews and his wife
became members of the Congregational church at Fhnt, and for many
years were among the leaders in that congregation, Mr. Andrews long hav-
ing served as one of the deacons of the church. He took an earnest interest
in music and for some time was a member of the Flint cornet band. Fra-
ternally, he was affiliated with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows and
took a warm interest in the afifairs of both of these organizations. As
noted above, Mr. Andrews died at his home in Flint on December 27, 1895,
he then being sixty-nine years of age, and he left a widow and four daugh-
ters to mourn his passing.

On Christmas day, 1850, being the twentieth anniversary of the birth
of the bride, George Andrews was united in marriage at Flint to Sarah S.
Taylor, who was born in Euclid county, Ohio, December 25, 1830. She
was the daughter of Hiram and Prudence Patience (Fuller) Ta3'lor, natives
of the state of Connecticut, who came to Michigan in 1838 and settled in
Flint, where Hiram Taylor died that same year. His widow continued to
make her home in Flint, except a few years spent in Connecticut, and spent
her last days there, living to the great age of ninety years and ten months.
Hiram Taylor and wife were the parents of seven children, four sons and
three daughters, Susan T., Mary F^.. Fxlward, Jonathan, Samuel, Sarah S.,
Nathaniel J. and Hiram Thomas. Of these children all are now deceased
save Mrs. Andrews and Hiram T. Taylor. Nathaniel J. Taylor, who was
an honored veteran of the Civil War, died in 1914.

To George and Sarah S. (Taylor) Andrews six children were torn,
one son and five daughters, as follow: Laura Electa, who died in the
twelfth year of her age; Mary S., who makes her home with her mother

no GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

in Flint, and wiio for years lias been a teacher in the public schools of her
home city; slic was for four years connected with the state department of
])ublic instruction in the capitol at Lansing and for four years was con-
nected with the state auditor's office; George Bushnell, who died in infancy;
Sarah Eva, who is now a teacher in the kindergarten and first grade depart-
ments of the state school for tlie blind at I.ansing; Bertha Electa, who
was graduated from the art department of Albion College and taught art
for a time and for four years was house secretar\- of the Young Women's
Christian Association at Lansing, is now li\ing on a farm east of that city,
and Georgia Ella, who is teaching in Brown Hall, state of the school for
the deaf, at Flint.

ROY E. BROW NELL.

Roy E. Brownell, attorney-at-law, of l'"lint, this comity, with offices
in the Flint P. Smith building, that city, is a native son of Michigan, born
on a farm in Metamora township, in the neighboring county of Lapeer,
September i8, 1883. He is the son of l^dmund and Lexy (Copeman)
Brownell, both natives of this state and the parents of two children, the
subject of this biographical review having a sister, Carrie, wife of Albert
A. Gibson, of Hadley township, Lapeer county.

Edmund Brownell was born on a homestead farm in Metamora town-
ship, Lapeer county, soii of Ellery and Emily (Dowd) Brownell, natives of
New York state, who w-ere among the early settlers of Lapeer county, this
state. Ellery Brownell homesteaded a farm in that county and became a
large farmer and stockman. He was a man of much influence in his com-
numity and represented that district in the Michigan House of Representa-
ti\es in the sessions of i867-(.o. Both he and his wife lived to ripe old
ages and spent their last days on their homestead place. They were the
parents of live children, of whom Edmund Brownell was the yomigest, the
others being Ellery, Enos, Emily, Ellen and one who died in early youth.
Edmund Brownell was reared on the paternal farm and after his marriage
began farming on his own account and became verj' successful, now living
retired at Lapeer. He early served liis township as highway commissioner,
later ;is supervisor, and was a nuinher of the state Legislature as a repre-
sentative in the House from Lapeer county, during the sessions of 1897 and
t8<)9. Mr. Brownell is vice-president of the First National and State Sav-
ings Bank of Lapeer. Lie is a Mason and a Republican and was for some

GKNESEE COrXTY, IIICHIGAN. Ill

time a leader of that party in Iiis home count}-. His wife died on April 6.
1915, at the age of sixty years. She was the daughter of Baldwin and
Elizabeth (Smith) Copeman, natives of Canada and early settlers at
Thomas, this state, where both lived to old age. They were the parents
of ten children, of whom Mrs. Brownell was the ninth in order of birth,
the others being W'esley, Levi, Sidney, Henry, Nelson, Mrs. Roxey Deming,
Mrs. Elizabeth Axford, Martha, wife of Henry Howell, and Mrs. Collins.
the latter of w'hom died at Pontiac.

Roy E. Brownell w-as reared on the parental farm in Lapeer county
and was graduated from the Lapeer high school in 1900. In that same
year he entered the literary department of the State University at Ann
Arbor and in 1906 \v;is graduated from the law department of that insti-
tution. In April, T907, he was admitted to the bar and engaged in practice
at Fenton, this county: in March, 1913, he moved to Flint, where he
opened a law ofifice, and has ever since been practicing his profession in
that city. Mr. Brownell is' a Republican and has taken an active interest
in political affairs ever since coming to this county. For one term he was
president of the Genesee County Republican Club; was supervisor of the
federal census for the sixth Michigan district in 1910, by appointment of
President Taft, and was secretary of the Taft campaign committee for
Michigan in 1912.

^Ir. Brownell is a member of tlie Mint Board of Commerce and of
the Countr\- Club. He is a Royal .\rch Mason and a Knight Templar, an
Odd Fellow and an Elk.

WILLI.\M C. STEWART.

William C. Stewart, junior meniljer of the law firm of Carton, Bray &
.Stewart, Xo. 407 Drxden Ijuilding, Mint, was born in that city and has lived
there all his life. He was born on March 10, 1N76. .son of Capt. Damon and
I'rances M. (McOuigg) Stewart, the former a native of Genesee county,
bcirn (in a pioneer farm on the present site of the city of Flint, and the latter
of the state of New \'ork. They were the parents of six children, of whom
the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being
as follow: Hobart A., deceased; Mabel, a kindergarten teacher in Flint;
Lucy, also of Flint; Bertha, wife of Dr. Frederick D. Strieker, of Grants
Pass, Oregon, and Frances E., a teacher of domestic science in the schools
of Chicago. Captain Stewart, an honored veteran of the Civil War, for

112 GENESEE COUNTY. MICniGAN.

years one of the leading merchants of I'lint and later a successful fanner on
his fine place on the outskirts of that city, tlicd on December 5, 1905, at the
age of seventy- four years, and his widow, who still survives him, is now-
living in Flint, making her hcjnic at Xo. 517 Detroit street. In a memorial
sketch relating to the late Captain Stewart, presented elsewhere in this
volume, there is set out in detail a histor)- of this pioneer family in Genesee
county, to which the reader is respectfully referred in this connection for
further particulars regarding the genealog\- of the subject of this sketch.

Upon completing the course in the public schools at Flint, William C.
Stewart entered the Michigan Agricultural College and after a three-year
course there took up the study of law, pursuing the same under the preceptor-
shi]) of Judge Durand, Hon, John J. Carton and Everett L. Bray, and was
achnitted to the bar on April 15, 1904. After his admission to practice, Mr.
Stewart remained in the office with his preceptors and in 19 12 was admitted
to the firm, the firm name now being Carton, Bray & Stewart. Mr. Stewart
is a Republican in his political faith and, fraternally, is affiliated with the
Masons and the Elks, being a member of Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and
.\ccepted Masons: of ^^'ashington Chapter No. 15, Ro3-al Arch Masons, and
of FHnt I^odge Xo. J22, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On Augu.st 18, 1909, William C. Stewart was united in marriage to
Grace E. Temby, who was born at Lapeer, this state, daughter of Xicholas
and Cora (Speas) Temby, now residents of Flint, and to this union has been
Itorn one child, a son, Robert T. Xicholas Temby was born in Cornwall,
F.ngland, but has been a resident of the United States for many years. Cora
( Speas) Temby was born in Syracuse, Xcw York. He and his wife are the
jjarents of three children, Mrs. Stewart having two brothers, Howard and
Arthur Tembv.

HOX. JOHX V. ( \RTWR1GHT.

The Hon. John F. (.artwright, former representative in the Legislature
from this district, an honored \etcran of the Ci\il War, retired farmer and
former grain dealer and banker at Da\ ison, and for many years one of the
most active and inliuenlial residents of that flourishing village, is a native
.son of Genesee county and, with the exception of a couple of years spent in
Kansas back in the seventies, has lived here all his life. He was born on a
pioneer farm in Davison township, December 19, 1846, son of Calvin and
.\fan' C. (Fritz) Cartwright. natives of the state of Xew York and prom-

GENESEE COUNTi^, MICHIGAN. II3

inent residents of Genesee county, who for many years exerted a wholesome
influence upon the life of the community in which the active years of their
lives were spent.

Cah-in Cartwright was born in Genesee county, New York, February
8, 18 16, and in his boyhood went to Canada, where he lived with a brother
until he was twenty years old, when, in 1836, he came to Michigan and
settled in Genesee county, where he spent the rest of his life. Upon coming
here he located in Grand Blanc township, where he married Mary C. Fritz,
who was bom in Monroe county. New York, Octolier 5, 1822. She was
about ten years old when she came to this county with her parents, John P.
and Melis.sa (Barger) Fritz, who settled on the Cheney farm in the Perry
neighborhood in Grand Blanc, where they lived until late in life, when they
moved to Whigville, where their last days were spent. When the Fritz
family settled in Grand Blanc the land for miles about was covered with a
practically unbroken forest and the nearest neighbor to the family was three
miles distant. Before his marriage Calvin Cartwright had bought a tract
of land in Davison township and in 1842 he established his home on that
tract and proceeded to clear the same and bring it under cultivation, he and
liis wife becoming early recognized as among the leading settlers of that
community. They were members of the Baptist church and took a prom-
inent part in all neighborhood good works. In civic affairs Calvin Cart-
wright also took an active part and at one time and another held every town-
ship office, ser\ing for eleven years as supervisor. During the Civil War
period lie was an enthusiastic Union man and did much locally to promote
the cause of the Union. His death occurred on January 15, 1891, and his
widow surA'ived him many years, her death occurring on August 24, 1908.
Four of their children grew to maturity and are still living, namely: Bray-
ton, of Davison, this county; John F., the subject of this biographical sketch;
George, who has been a resident of Idaho since 1870, and Susan M., of
Davison.

John F'. Cartwright was reared on the farm on which he was Ijom in
Davison township and attended the high school at Pontiac and at Flint.
AVhcn he was eighteen years of age, in December, 1864, he enlisted for ser-
vice in the. Union army during the Civil War and served until in June, i86v
as a memljer of the Thirteenth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
Upon the completion of his military senice he returned home and for three
winters thereafter was engaged in teaching school, farming during the sum-
mers and also working at the carpenter trade. In the fall of 1872 he mar-
(8a)

114 GENF.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ried and soon thereafter mo\ ed to the village of Davison, then a mere station
on the railroad. There he engaged in the mercantile business and was thus
engaged for three years, at the end of which time he bought a grist-mill and
saw-mill and for some time was engaged in operating the same, but after
awhile sold these mills and went to (ireat i'.end, Kansas, where he bought a
quarter of a section of hind and proceeded to improve the same. At the
end of two years, howe\er, he disposed of his interests in Kansas and
returned to Davison, where, in 1880, he engaged in business, in association
with his father, in the grain and produce line, three years later buying his
father's interest in the business, which for three years he operated alone.
He then admitted to partnership Edgar J. Seelye, but after awhile resumed
full control of the l)usincss, whicli he conducted alone until 1894, in wliich
vear he admitted to partnership ills l)rotlier-in-law, Ira W. CJole, which
mutually agreeable partnership continued until the firm sold the elevator in
1908. That elevator, a structure more than one hundred feet in height, was
erected by Mr. (.'artwright before forming his partner.ship with Mr. Cole
and for years h.as stood as one of the landmarks in Davison.

In 1886, while he was engaged in the grain business. Air. Cartwright
started a private bank at Davison and in 1888 incorixsrated the same as a
stock company. In 1896 this bank was reorganized as a state bank and Mr.
Cartwright was in ciiarge of the same when the present bank building was
erected. In 1909, the year following his retirement from the grain business.
Mr. Cartwright withdrew from the bank and since that time has devoted the
greater part of his time to tiie general direction of a fine farm he owns
three miles north of Davison, continuing however, to make his home at
Davison^ where he has been e.'^tablished so many years. When Mr. Cart-
wright took possession of that fami it was in a badly run-down condition,
but he has built it up and improved it imtil it is regarded as one of the best
farms in the county. He has given considerable attention to the raising of
live stock and has done very well with his place. Though not a politician
in the generally accepted meaning of the term. Mr. Cartwright has not been
unmindful of a good citizen's duty to the public and has ser\ed in numerous
local public capacities, including those of township clerk, treasurer and super-
visor. In 1892 he was elected representative from this district to the Micii-
igan General Assembly and ser\ed very acceptably as a member of the House
in the session of 1893.

On November 28, 187-', John F. Cartwright was united in marriage to
Mercv Cole, who was lx)rn on a pioneer farm one mile east of the village
of Davison, fulv 8, i8;2, daughter of Nathaniel and Marv E. f Potter)

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. II 5

Cole, a further history of whom is set out in a biographical sketch relating
to Mrs. Cartwright's brother, Ira W. Cole, presented elsewhere in this
volume. To this union one child has been born, a son, Charles Ira, born
on March 23, 1877, who is living with his parents in Davison. Mr. Cart-
wright is a Royal Arch Mason and takes a warm interest in the affairs of
that ancient order. He was made a Mason at Goodrich when twenty-one
years old and when the cliarter of that lodge was transferred to- Davison his
membership accompanied it. For ten years he was master of Davison Lodge
and is a meml>er of Washington Chapter. No. 15, Royal t Arch Masons, at
Flint. He also is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic
and of the Grange and he and Mrs. Cartwright are members of the Order
of the Eastern Star.

MORRIS A. KNIGHT.

Morris A. Knight, veteran merchant of Fhnt, vice-president of the
old established dry-goods firm of O. M. Smith & Company, and for many
years one of the most energetic and conspicuous figures in the commercial
life of Genesee county, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this
state all his life. He was boni in the city of Detroit, August 20, 1847, son
of Alfred and Mary (Edsall) Knight, natives of New York state and early
residents of Flint, where for many years the former was engaged in business
and where both spent their last days.

Alfred Knight was born in Orange comity, New York, son of Henry
and Margaret ( Clearwatei^) Knight, both natives of that same state, who
were the parents of four children, Charles, Alfred, Morris and Elizabeth.
Henry Knight died at his home in New York state and his widow later
made her home with her son, Alfred Knight, at Flint, where she died at
an advanced age. Alfred Knight married, in his native comity, Mary
Edsall, who also was born in the same county, and about the year 1838
came to Michigan, settling at Flint in 1839, where he engaged in the mer-
cantile business, but after a year spent there, moved, in 1840, to Detroit,
where he engaged in the shoe business, and was there thus engaged until
1863. In that year he returned to Flint and opened a .shoe store, establish-
ing his home on the present site of the Elks building. His death occurred
in 1876, he then being sixtj^-four years of age. He and his wife were mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church, of which church for many years he was a
member of the board of trustees, and their children were reared in that

no GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

faith. There were four of these children, of whom the subject of this sketcii
was the third in order of birth, the others being Emma F., of F"lint; Mar-
garet E., deceased, and Mary E., of Flint.

Morris A. Knight spent his youth in Detroit, the city of his birth,
receiving his education in the public schools of that city. He was about
sixteen years old when his parents returned to Flint in 1863 and for sev-
eral years thereafter he was employed in his father's store at Flint, after
which he spent about eighteen months in mercantile business in Bay City.
Returning to Flint, on January i, 1876, he formed a partnership with O.
M. Smith, in the dry-goods business, under the firm name of O. M. Smith
& Company, which has continued unbroken to this day, he and Mr. Smith
still being engaged in business at Flint, thus being one of the oldest estab-
lished mercantile firms in this part of Michigan. I'rom 1883 to 1915 Mr.
Smith and Mr. Knight also were engaged in the dry-goods business at Bay
City, in partnership with Jay Thompson, imder the finn name of Jay
Thompson & Company, selling their interests in that business to the widow
of their former partner in 1915. In the Flint store of Smith & Company
over sixty people are employed.

On April 24, 1877, at Flint, Morris A. Ivnight was imited in marriage
to Harriett Henderson, who was born in that city on January 2^, 1849,
daughter of James and Mercy (Hill) Henderson, pioneers of Flint, who
were the parents of ten children, Horace, Clarence, Harriett, Chester, Al-
bert. Alice, James, Henry, Lester and Helen. For many years the elder
Tames Henderson was one of the leading dr\--goods merchants of Flint.
He erected the building now occupied by O. M. Smith & Company and was
there engaged in business until his death, which occurred in 1865.

To Mr. and Mrs. Knight three children have been born, Alfred H..
Ix)uise H. and Alice W. Alfred H. Knight was graduated from the Uni-
versity of Michigan in 1900. and from Cornell University in 1901. He
married Emma McShea, OctoJ^er 7, 1903, and has three children, Alfred
H., Elizabeth and Harriet. Louise H. Knight, who was educated in the
Flint schools, the Lewis Institute at Chicago and Rye Seminary, New York,
married Byron R. Winbom. June 9, 1909, and has three children, Byron
R'., James H. and Morris K. Alice VV. Knight, who was educated in the
Flint schools and Rye Seminary, New York, is at home with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Knight are Presbyterians and Mr. Knight is a member of
the session of the church with, which lie is afiiliated. He is a Republican
and for one term ser\-ed as a member of the Flint citv school board.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. II7

WILLIAM HJ^:NRY McCLOUD.

William Henry McCloiid, traflic manager for the Buick Motor Com-
pany of Flint, is a native son of Michigan, born in the city of Detroit,
February 13, 1876, son and only child of Daniel and Jerusha (Colwell)
McGoud, natives of Canada, who settled in Detroit many years ago and
are still living there.

Daniel McCloud was bom in Belleville, Ontario, in 1844 and was
reared as a maltster, which vocation he followed after moving to Detroit
and for many years thereafter, or until his retirement from business ■ some
years ago. His mother lived to be more than one hundred years of age.
Mrs. McC"loud was born in 1856. Her father, who was a farmer in Can-
ada, was drowned in the Kincardine when in middle age. Mr. and Mrs.
McCloud are members of the Presbyterian church.

Upon his graduation from the high school in Detroit, William H. Mc-
Cloud entered the Detroit Business University and after his graduation
from that institution went to work as a clerk in the freight department of
tlie Wabash Railway Company at Detroit, being connected with that depart-
ment for ten years. At the end of that period he went West and worked
for different railway companies in various capacities, with a view to becom-
ing thoroughly familiar with the details of the great problems of trans-
portation, and was thus engaged until March 15, 1909, when he entered
upon his present position as traffic manager of the Buick Motor Company
at Flint and has ever since been thus engaged. He has charge of the trans-
portation of the products of the great Buick plant, a plant employing more
than eight thousand persons and long regarded as one of the industrial main-
sta3^s of the city of Flint. In his political affiliation Mr. McCloud is a
Democrat. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight
of Pythias, a Knight of the Maccabees and an Elk, a member of Palestine
Lodge No. 357, Free and Accepted Masons, at Detroit ; Washington Chapter
No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, at Flint; Olympic Lodge No. i. Knights of
Pythias, at Detroit: Capital Lodge No. 45, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, at Lansing: IngersoU Encampment No. 29, Patriarchs Militant, at
Detroit; Detroit Tent No. 507. Knights of the Maccabees, and Flint l.odge
No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On October 14, 1894, at Detroit, William H. McCloud was united in
marriage to Justine Kurtzrock, who was born in that city, daughter of
Charles and Elizabeth Kurtzrock, I)(itli now deceased, the former of whom

Il8 GENESliE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

was a native of Germany and tlie latter of England and who were the par-
ents of five children, of whom but two now survive, ]ilrs. AlcCloud having
a brother. William Kurtzrock. Charles Kurtzrock was a soldier in his native
country and was an expert machinist in Detroit. Mrs. McCloud was reared
in Detroit and was graduated from college there. She is a member of the
Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. McCloud three children have been
l)orn. Elizabeth Veral, Jerusha and William Mellville. The McClouds have
a very pleasant home at No. 113 West Fourth avenue, Flint,

J.^MES ALBERT JONES.

James Albert Jones, until recently proprietor of the Dayton hotel at
Flint and for years one of the best-known men in that city, is a native son
of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was bom on a
farm in Flint township on October 26, i860, son of Caleb and Adelia
(Bishop) Jones, both natives of the state of New York. They were the
parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth
in order of birth, the others being as follow: Maria, who died when
three years of age; Martin Egbert, of Vienna township, this county;
Edwin and Ira, twins; Jeannette, deceased, who was the wife of John C.
Cassidy; Laurinda. wife of J. J. Wickham, of Flint, and Ella J., deceased,
who was the wife of William J. Wickham.

Caleb Jones was bom in Cayuga county. New York, eldest of the
three children of Ira and Lydia Jones, the other two l^eing Lydia and
William. Ira Jones and his wife were natives of England. They reared
their family in New York state and in the fifties came to Michigan, settling
on a farm in Mundy township, where they spent the rest of their lives, both
living to old age, he being eighty-five years of age at the time of his death
and she eighty. Caleb Jones was reared on a farm and also worked for
some time on tlie Erie canal. It was about 1856 that he came to Genesee
county, his first location here being on a farm in Flint township, but a few
years later he moved into Vienna township, where he bought an eighty-
acre farm, and there spent the remainder of his life, being sixty-seven
years of age at the time of his death. His widow survived him several
years, she also being sixty-seven at the time of her deatli. She also was
l)om in Cayuga county. New York, and was reared there, daughter of
Walker and I^rinda Bishop, Ixith natives of New York state, who came

(IKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. IIQ

tu Michigan in 1865 and located on "Flint Plat" in the city of Flint, where
they spent the rest of their lives, he being ninety years of age at the time
of his death and she eighty-five. They were the parents of three children.
Mrs. Jones having had a brother, Marvin Albro Bishop, and a sister,
Cloiette.

James Albert Jones was reared on the paternal farm in Vienna town-
ship and obtained his schooling in the neighboring district school He
remained at home, gradually relieving his father of the cares of the farm,
and upon the death of his parents came into possession of the home place,
on which he remained until his marriage in 1890. He then moved into
Flint, where he was connected with the saloon business for five years, at
the end of which time he went to Clio, where he engaged in the hotel busi-
ness, and was thus engaged for three years or more. He then returned to
Flint and bought the E>ayton hotel, at No. 415 Detroit street, which he
made one of the most popular hostelries in this part of the state. Mr.
Jones made a success of his hotel business and gained recognition as one
of Flint's substantial business men. He is the owner of some valuable
property in the city. He is independent in his political views, voting for
the men rather than for the party, and gives considerable attention to local
Ix)Htical affairs.

On April 14, 1890, James Albert Jones was united in marriage to
Mary Margaret Dougherty, daughter of Bernard Dougherty, to which
imion one child was bom, a daughter, Helen, now attending school. Mrs.
Alary M. Jones died on February 5, 1915, and on July 4, 1915, Mr. Jones
married, secondly, Mrs. Catherine Sutphin, widow of Loren M. Sutphin.
Mrs. Catherine Jones was bom near the city of Tiffin, in Seneca county,
Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Sophia (Pope) Powell, the foraier a native
of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania, of German parentage. Jacob
Powell was the eldest of the five children born to his parents, John William
and Marv (Shea) Powell, both natives of Ireland, who emigrated to
America with their family and spent their last days in Ohio, both living
to old age. Their other children were Wesley, Martha, Nancy and Ellen.
Jacob Powell married Sophia Pope, who was the eldest of the six children
bora to her parents, William and Susan (Miller) Pope, the others being-
Rachel, Susan, Samuel, Frank and Edward. After residing some years in
Seneca county, Ohio, they came to Michigan and settled in the neighbor-
ing countv of Shiawassee, where both he and his wife spent the remainder
of their lives, she dying in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years, and he
in 190C, at the age of eighty-one. Mrs. Powell was a member of the

I20 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Adventist church. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Congregational church
at Flint.

Mr. Jones is a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated with the consLs-
tory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Bay City, ;md is a noble of Elf
Khurafeh Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
at Saginaw. His local connection with the Masonic order is through mem-
bership in Clio Lodge No. 205, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington
Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and Flint Council, Royal and Select
Masters. He also is a member of Vienna Lodge No. 191, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows; Flint Lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, and Flint Aerie No. 629, Fraternal Order of Eagles.

LEVANT A. \'ICKERY.

Levant A. V'ickery was bom in Darien, New York, March 25, 1842. a
son of Thomas D. Vickery, who was bom, November 8, 1811, on the same
farm that was the birthplace of his son, the subject. The senior Vickery
was reared and educated in New York, and came to Michigan in the spring
of 1866. He followed the occupation of a farmer. He married Mary
Howe, a native of New York, born in Oneida county, tliat state, Januan,- 11,
1811, and reared and educated in that state. Levant A. Vickery is one of
five children of this family, two of whom are now living. Charles B. was
a soldier in the Civil War and is now living at the Soldiers' Home, in Bath.
New York; Levant A. is the next in order of birth. The father died in
1892; the mother in 1889. Tlie names of the deceased children of this
family are: Helen, born in 1844, married Jesse Marsli and died in 1880;
Urr, horn in 1847. ^^^^^^ '" i^.^7; Dewitt, born in 1850.

Thomas D. Vickery was a son of Jonathan Vickery, who was born on
October 22, 1780, and married Phena Burr, w-ho was born in 1787. They
had five children, Olive, Thomas, Ozias, Manley and \\'illiam, all deceased.

Levant A. Vickery was educated in Darien, New York, attending first
the common schools and then took a course in the academy at Alexander, in
that state. After completing his scliool studies, he engaged in teaching
school during the winter months: in the summer he worked on the farm.
In the spring of 1867 he came to Michigan, where he taught school for two
years and worked on the farm when not engaged in teaching. In the spring
of 1869 he entered the emplov of Xiles & Cotcher. general merchants, of

LEVANT A. VICKERY.

GKNF.SEK COLXTY, MICHIGAN. 121

I'liisiiiiio;, as bookkeeper for the firm. He continued with tliis finn until
1873, a period of four years, then formed a partnership with Arza N. and
Harlan P. Xiies in the general merchandising business. This partnership
continued until 1889. when ]\lr. X'ickery and his son purchased the entire
interest of the firm and the business was continued under the firm name of
L. A. \'ickery & Son. In 1804 the business was sokl out and Mr. Vickery
having received from President Cleveland the appointment of postmaster at
that time, he entered upon the discharge of the duties of that ofifice. He was
postmaster of Flusliing for a period of four years. In 1898 he was elected
townshi]) supervi.sor and hekl that office for one year. When the People's
State Rank was organized, in 1900, Mr. Vickery was elected cashier of that
institution. He held that position until Januar}' i, 191 5, when he was made
president of the bank, which position he now holds.

On March 3c. 1864, Mr. \"ickery was married to Mary E. Jewell, \vho
was born in Rochester, New York, March 11. 1838, and was reared and edu-
cated in that state. She was a daughter of John Chittenden Jewell, wlio
was born in New York and who married Lucy Ann Howe.

Mr. \''ickery is a Republican, a thirt3f-second-degree Alason, a member
of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Royal Guards. He is the father
of two children, Karl J., born in 1866, married Edith Kimmel. a resident of
Flushing. Ixirn in i8n6. and who is now the mother of two children. Esther
K. and Helen ; a third child, Earl, died when about four years old. Earl J.
\'ickery is now a practicing attorney in Detroit. Michigan. Linus W. Vick-
erv. born in April. 1868. was at one time a member of the L. A. Vickeri'
firm, hut died in 1889, at the age of twenty-one vears.

REV. MICHAEL J. COMERFORD.

The Rev. ]\Iichael J. Comerford. pastor of St. Matthew's Catholic churcii.
at Mint, is a native son of ^lichigan and has lived in this state all his life.
He was l)orn in the city of Detroit, Januar)- 29, 1871, son of Michael and
Bridget ( k~eigh) Comerford, natives of Ireland, the former born in Count)-
Kilkenm- and the latter in Limerick, whose last days were spent in Detroit,
where for years Michael Comerford was prominently connected with the
lumber interests of that city.

IMichael Comerford was born on a farm in Kilkenny, son of James and
l'nizal)eth ( Crmierford I Comerford, Ixith natives of that same countv, whn

122 GENF.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAX.

Spent all their lives there and who were the parents of nine children; of these.
Michael was the tirst-born. the others tx-ing James, John, Patrick, Peter,
Mary, Elizabeth, Jane and Mar.ijaret. Michael Comerford was but little
more than a boy when he came to the United States and proceeded on into
the northern part of Michigan, where he began to work in the lumber woods
and was thus engaged for some years, acquiring a thorough and practical
knowledge of the lumber business. He married Bridget Feigh. who was
l.'orn in County Limerick, Ireland, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hunt)
I'cigh, natives of that same county, who were the parents of seven children.
I'.lizabeth, Margaret, Mary, John, Thomas, Anna and Bridget. David Feigh
and his wife spent all their lives in their native Limerick, he being eighty
\ears of age at the time of his death; his widow survived him ft)r many
vears, she l^eing at the remarkaljle age of one hundred and live years at the
time of her death. After some years spent in the Iuml>er woods of northern
Micliigan, Michael Comerford located in Detroit, where he engaged in tlie
lumber business on his own account and was thus engaged very successfully
until his death in 1901. he then l^eing sixty-five years of age. His widow
survived him about two years, she being seventy-two years of age at the time
of her death in 1903. They were earnest members of the Catholic church
and their children were reared in the faith of that church. There were seven
of these children, of whom Father Comerford was the last-l)orn. die others
being as follow: Thomas, of Detroit: Elizalx^th, who married George
Hetherington, of Detroit: John, also of Detroit; Cyran, deceased: James,
deceased, and Mar\-, who married Adam Gibson, of Philadelphia.

[""ather Comerford received exceptional advantages in the way of pre-
paration for the duties of his holy office. He was reared in Detroit, the city
of his birth, and received his elementary education in St. Vincent's paro-
chial school in that city. At the earl}- age of thirteen years he consecrated
his life to the holy priesthood and n\y.m completing the course in the parish
school entered Assumption College at Sandwich, Ontario, where he received
his classical education. Afterward he entered St. Mary's Seminary at Balti-
more, where he completed his theological studies in 1895, graduating from
that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology. In Septem-
ber of that same vear, Father Comerford was ordained to holy orders and
was shortly afterward assigned as pastor of St. Mary's church at Pickney.
this state, being the first priest of that parish. On October i, 1895, Father
Comerford was given charge of the church at Pickney and he remained there
for sixteen years, or until October i, 191 1, when he was placed in charge
nf the newly erected parish of St. Matthew's, at Flint, where he ever since

GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I23

lias been located. Father Coinerford has done a notable work in his con-
nection with St. Matthew's church and his parish has grown until it now
numbers three hundred and twelve families. Not long after taking charge
there, he bought ground from the Loyal Guard, a property originally known
as the Mclntyre, the Martin and the Pegge estates, and in 1913 began the
erection of a school building, to serve not only as a school, but as a temporary
place of worship, expending about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars
upon the same. Plans are now well untler wa)- for the erection of a fine
church edifice, the same to cost an additional one hundred and twenty thou-
sand dollars. The parish school enrolls two hundred and four pupils at
present and is yearly growing. Since the month of October, 1914, Father
Comerford has been aided in the labors of his growing parish by the Rev.
leather Francis F. Van Antwerp, assistant priest, who also was lx)rn in the
city of Detroit, and the affairs of St. iMatthew's parish are reported to be in
a flourishing condition.

HARRY W. WATSON.

No history of the commercial life of the city of F"lint would be coiuplete
without fitting mention of the part played in the business activities of that
city for years by the late Harry W. Watson, who built up from a small be-
ginning one of the greatest wholesale cigar establishments in the state of
Michigan, a business which is still being carried on by his son, Eugene H.
\\'atson, president of the Harn,' W. Watson Company.

Harry W. Watson was a native of Illinois, born at Pittsfield, November
22, 1864, the only child of Henry and Phoebe (Campbell) Watson, the for-
mer of whom, a merchant of Pittsfield, died at that place when his son was
but a small child. His widow later married Ferris Hyatt, who lived at Flint,
Michigan, and to that second union five children were born, Marion, Clark,
Anna, Jane and Ferris. Harry W. Watson was about six years old when
his mother moved to Flint and. he grew to manhood in that city and there
spent the rest of his life. He received his education in the public schools of
Flint and in a military and business college in the East and for two years
after completing his college course was engaged as a commercial traveler.
He then went into business for himself, in the wholesale cigar line, and from
the very beginning of his business career was successful, gradually building
up a large business, which he presently incorporated, with a capi-tal of one

124 GENESEE COUN'IV. MICHIGAN.

Iniiulred thousand dollars, under the name of the Harry W. Watson Com-
pany. He remained at the head of that enterprising and flourishing con-
cern xuitil his death, which occurred on April 7, 1913, he then being forty-
eight years of age. In addition to his extensive commercial interests, Mr.
Watson was a member of the board of directors of the Commercial and
Citizens Savings Bank of Flint. He was a Democrat and, fraternally, was
aftiliated with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in the latter of which organization.**
he took a particularly warm interest, having been the first exalted ruler of
Flint Lodge No. 222 of that order. He was a thirty-second-degree Mason,
as is his son, Eugene, who is now the directing head of the extensive busi-
ness he built up at Flint.

On November 26, 1884, Harry W. Watson was united in marriage to
Agnes Parsell, who was born at Flushing, this county, November 20, 1865,
daughter of Eugene and Roxanna (Brockway) Parsell, the former of whom
was born at Clarence, New York, and the latter at Mackadavia, Maine.
Eugene Parsell, who was for many years one of the best-known and most
influential citizens of Genesee county, was but a lad when his parents, Robert
Parsell and wife, came from New York state to this county and located at
Flushing in the early days of the settlement of that village, where they spent
the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of seven children.
Jennie, Laura, ^lary, Ernest. Eugene, l\obert and Puella. Eugene Parsell
grew to manhood at Flushing and there married Roxanna Brockway, whose
parents, also were early settlers in that neighborhood. In his early manhood
Eugene Parsell drove the local stage out of Flushing and carried the mails.
In 1872 he moved to Flint and there engaged in the drug business in part-
nership with Charles Mason. He later was elected sheriff of Genesee county
and was re-elected, serving for two terms, and was afterward appointed
warden of the state reformatory at Ionia, in which capacity he served for
several years. He later was appointed postoffice inspector for this district
and in that capacity served the government for many years. His wife died
on September 18. 1907, and he is still living at Flint, now in the eightieth
year of his age. He and his wife were the parents of three children, of
whom Mrs. Watson was the second in order of birth, the others being Charles
and J. H. Parsell.

To Harry W. and Agnes (Parsell) Watson were born three children,
Eugene Henrv, Lucile and Pauline, all of whom, with their widowed mother,
continue to make their homes in Flint. Eugene H. \\^atson, who succeeded
his father in the wholesale cigar business at Flint, being the president of the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I25

Marry W. Watson Conipan}-, a business which he is carrying on very suc-
cessfully, married Loretta Kingsle}' and has two children, William Kingslev
and Jean Campbell. Lucile Watson, who is a graduate of the Flint high
school and of the Harcourt Place school at Gambier, Ohio, is the wife of
Lloyd Slayton Kenworthy, of I*"lint. Pauline Watson, also a graduate of the
Flint high school, took a course at Briar Clifif school, on the Hudson, near
Ossining. She is now Mrs. Courtney Johnson, of Flint.

WILLIAM THOMAS WALKER.

William Tiiomas Walker, vice-president and general manager of the
\Valker-Weiss A.xle Company at Flint, is a native of Ohio, born in the city
of Toledo, that state, October 26, 1881. He is a son of William and Rose
(Jennings) Walker, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter
in the city of Adrian, this state. They were the parents of three children, of
whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others being Jennie,
wife of W. C. Stevenson, of Columbus, Ohio, and Albert, deceased.

William Walker was born in County Cork, Ireland, and was but a boy
when he came to the United States, locating at Ogdensburg, New York.
where he was living when the Mexican War broke out. He enlisted for
service in that war and upon the completion of his mihtary service, located
at Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged in the grain business and where he spent
the remainder of his life. He not only was a prominent business man of
that city, but was prominent in the city's civic affairs and for some years
served as auditor of the city of Toledo. Fie died at his home there in 1892,
at the age of about sixty-five years. He was a member of the Baptist church,
as is his widow, who is still living in Toledo.

W. Thomas Walker was reared in the city of Toledo, his birthplace,
and was graduated from the high school in that city in 1900. He then
entered the University of Michigan at Ann .Vrbor, and was graduated from
that institution in 1904, after which he Ijegan working in the works of the
Olds Motor Company at Detroit. He was thus engaged for seven or eight
months, at the end of which time he l^ecame a consulting engineer in Detroit
and while thus employed returned to Toledo, w^here he presently resumed
the manufacturing line. Later he went to Canton, Ohio, where he was thus
engaged for a couple of years, or until 1908, in which year he took service
with the \Veston-?iIott Company at Flint and was presently made assistant

120 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

general manager and manager of the sales department of that company,
remaining with that concern for five years. In 1912 Mr. Walker was made
vice-president and general manager of the Walker-Weiss Axel Company, a
concern organized at Flint, with a capital stock of three hundred thousand
dollars, for the manufacture of automobile axles. This company, which
employs five hundred persons and operates a manufacturing plant with a
capacity of forty-five thousand sets of automobile axles annually, is officered
as follows: President. C. H. Bonbright; vice-president, W. Thomas Walker;
secretary and treasurer, V. J. Weiss, and assistant secretary and treasurer.
H. E. Schweitzer.

On October 24, 1906, W. Thomas Walker was united in marriage to
-Maud Gale, who was born at JMorrice, in the neighboring county of Shiawas-
see, daughter of Charles W. and Florence M. (McKee) Gale, both of whom
were born in that same county, the former a son of Isaac Gale and wife,
natives of the state of New York and early settlers in Shiawassee county,
and the latter a daughter of Robert and Arminia McKee. he a native of
-Michigan and she of Ohio. Charles W. Gale and wife were the parents of
two children, Mrs. Walker having a brother, Robert Isaac Gale. Mrs.
Walker is a memljer of the Episcopal church at Flint. Mr. Walker is a
Republican and. fraternally, is affiliated with the Masons and the Elks, a
nieinber of Flint Lodge No. 2^, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Flint
Lodge \o. 222. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a
member of the Country Club at Flint and the Fellowship Club at Detroit.

FR.AXK H. HASKELL.

It is not everybody who can make a success in the real estate business,
as many special qualifications are necessary, such as tact, energy-, a knowl-
edge of values, the ability to readily grasp a situation, forcefulness, cour-
tesy and honesty. Frank H. Haskell, of the Haskell Realty Company of
Flint, is one of Genesee county's citizens who seems to possess these char-
acteristics. He was bom in Ingham county, Michigan, fifteen miles from
I;anstng, on Marcli 18. 1.S72. and is a son of Henry and Julia (Gould)
Haskell, also natives of Ingham ci:)unt\-, where they grew up. were mar-
ried and de\oted tlicir active lives to agricultural pursuits. Upon
the breaking out of the livii War. the father enlisted in the Eleventh
Michigan ^'olunteer Inlantr\-. in which he sen-ed faithfully as a private

GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 12^

for three years. After l)eing lioiiorably discharged at the close of his tenn
of enHstment, lie returned home and took up fanning on the eighty acres
that he had purchased before the war, which he cleared and improved, but
finally sold it and moved to Genesee county, living retired for many years
in the village of Goodrich. He now makes his home in Hartland, Michi-
gan. His wife died in Goodrich in 1896, at the age of forty-seven years.
She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Hartland Post, Grand .Army
of the Republic. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he served as justice
of the peace for several years. To Henry Haskell and wife two children
were born, John, wlio resides in Sandford, this state, and Frank H., of
this sketch.

The paternal grandparents of tiiese children were Henry and Clara
Haskell, natives of New York and pioneers in Ingham county, Micliigan,
where he died, but her death occurred in Livingston county. They had six
children, namely: Alfred, Daniel D., Henry, George, Anna and .Addie.
The matemal grandparents, Luke Gould and wife, were natives of New
York state, devoted their lives to farming, and were pioneers of Ingham
county, Michigan. They died when past middle life. Six children were
born to tiiem, named as follow: Madison D., .\lfred, Charlotte, Julia, I<^lla
and Carrie.

Frank H. Haskell was eleven 3-ears old when his parents removed from
the fami to the village of Goodrich, and there he grew to manhood and
attended school, including the high school. Afterward he began clerking
in a hardware store with Milton Hill, in that town, remaining with him one
and one-half years, then worked for J. D. Cheney as clerk in his grocery
store, also in the postoffice for one year; later worked for S. B. Pixley,
general merchant, for three years. He then eml^arked in the furniture
business for himself, also did undertaking. After continuing these lines in
Goodrich three years, he came to Flint in 1898 and bought a grocery store
at First avenue and Smith street, which he conducted two and one-half
years, then bought the Flanders store on North Saginaw street. He has
owned twelve different grocery stores in Flint. He finally spent three
years on the road as a commercial salesman, and in June, 1915, in partner-
ship with L. A. Rogers, he embarked in the real estate business,, which he
has since followed with his usual industry and success.

Mr. Haskell was married in January, 1891, to Lura B. Caswell, a
daughter of Orlando and Caroline (Brosius) Caswell, of Goodrich. Her
death occurred in 1897 at the age of thirty-three years, leaving two chil-

US GKXESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

dren, Leon and Beulah. The fomier married Clara Smith and is now-
traveling for the Lakeside Biscuit Company. The daughter is ledger clerk
and assistant accountant in the Pere Marquette freight office. She was
graduated from the Flint high school in 1914. after wliich she taught in
the public schools six or eight years.

Mrs. Laura B. Haskell was torn in Goodrich and she and Mr. Haskell
were schoolmates. Her parents were natives of the state of New York,
whence they came to Genesee coimty, Michigan, in an early day and here
spent the rest of their lives. Three children were born to them. Hattie,
Lura and Mary.

Mr. Haskell was married to his second wife, Eva Johnson, on March
30, 1904. She is a daughter of Jacob and Alice (Ramsdell) Johnson. To
this last tinion one son has been born, Frank H. Haskell, Jr. Mrs. Has-
kell was born in Genesee county. Michigan. Her father came from Penn-
sylvania, her mother from Ohio, and both are now deceased. They were
parents of seven children, namely : Helen, Calvin, Laura, Levant, Eva,
Mary and Grant. Politically, Mr. Haskell is a Democrat. He and his wife
attend the Christian Science church.

'RANKLL\ H. PIERCE.

In the list of Flint's successful and useful citizens, the late Franklin H.
Pierce long- occupied a prominent place, and it is with a peculiar sense of
fitness that a summary of his life and character is given a permanent place
in the record of his home city and county.

Franklin H. Pierce was born in Bethlehem, Grafton county, New Hamp-
shire, on October 24, 1841, of sterling old Yankee stock, and the sound
qualities of character which distinguished him in his mature business career
were but typical of the staunch New England blood which he inherited. His
father was John Pierce, also a native of New Hampshire, who lived to the
advanced age of ninety-seven years. He was the father of six children,
namely: Franklin H., John, Mrs. Mary Sinclair. Mrs. Eliza Woodward,
Mrs. Sarah Sawyer and Edward.

After completing his con-mion school ctliication, I-ranklin H. Pierce, at
the age of nineteen years, came to Coldwater, Michigan, where, for two
years, he was in the employ of Wood & Barbour. In 1865 he came to
Flint and engaged in the clothing business, in partnership with his brother,

^// d.

^-ti-^'Z-'C'i.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

129

Edward O., under the firm name of F. H. & E. O. Pierce. They were .suc-
cessful in this enterpri.se and through the years this iirm was continually
numbered among the sound and substantial mercantile firms of Flint. The
(jnly serious setback experienced by this finn during all these years was the
destruction of the store by fire about three years after its opening. The
store and stock were increased from time to time to meet the increase in
demands of their business, until now the house is numbered among the lead-
ing commercial institutions of Flint. About 1897, desiring to retire from
active business life, Mr. Pierce sold his interest in the business to his brother,
the firm being now known as E. O. Pierce & Son.

During all the years in which Mr. Pierce was actively occupied in
advancing his business interests, he maintained a good citizen's interest in
the general welfare of his city and took an active part in efforts for its
advancement. For some years during his early residence here he served as
alderman, in which position he rendered efificient service to his city. He also
served on the board of public works, where his sound judgment and keen
l>usiness ability were put to the best use. He was one of the originators of
the present splendid waterworks system, but which in his dav was criticized
as being a useless expenditure of money. In many other ways his keen
foresight was exhibited in his direction of public affairs and he was recog-
nized as a man of unusual astuteness and sagacity.

Politically, JNlr. Pierce was a Republican, but he entertained no ambition
for public office, his chief interest lying along commercial lines. His fra-
ternal relations were with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of
the Maccabees and the Loyal Guards. He was an earnest member of St.
Paul's Episcopal churcli, of which he was senior warden at the time of hi^
death.

On Novenil>er _>y, 1870. hVanklin H. Pierce was married to Mary E.
Lamond, a native of Flint and the daughter of Robert D. Lamond and wife,
who became early settlers of Flint. They had three children, Mary, Robert
and Jennie. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were bom three children, Sarah, who
died at the age of nine years; John L., who is represented elsewhere in this
work, and Frances, the wife of H. H. Hills, of Detroit. Franklin H. Pierce
died on June 24, 1901, after an illness of several months.

Diligence, perseverance and honesty were characteristic qualities of
Mr. Pierce. Although his life was a busy one. his every-day afifairs mak-
ing heavy demands upon his time, he never shrank from his duties as a
citizen and his obligations tc his church, his neighbors and his friends. He

130 gknkskl; county, Michigan.

was benevolent, kind-hearted and thoughtful for those less fortunate than
himself, never failing to grant succor where it was known to he rightfully
needed. He was well read and a man of noble attainments. Although a
quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leader-
ship, he contributed mucii to tlic material, civic and moral advancement of
his community, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the
upright course of his daily life won for him the esteem and confidence of
ilie circles in whicli he moved.

NOAH BATES. M. D.

Genesee county has reason to take pride in the personnel of her corps
of medical men from the pioneer days in her history to the present time,
and on the roll of honored names that indicates the services of worthy and
esteemed citizens in this field of endeavor there is gratification in reverting
to that of Dr. Noah Bates, of the city of Flint, for many years a successful
and widely known physician and surgeon.

Noah Bates was born in Bealton, Norfolk county, Ontario, Canada,
February 25, 1838. He is a son of Joseph and Phila (Rogers) Bates, natives
of New Jersey and New York, respectively, who immigrated to Ontario in
an early day, settling in the wilderness. There they cleared and developed a
farm, on which thy spent the rest of their lives, the death of the father
occurring in June, 1865, at the age of si.xty-si.x years, his Itirth having oc-
curred November 26, 1805: the mother died l^ebruary 4, 1892, in her eight\-
seventh year. They were members of the Baptist church. Thirteen children
were born to them, namely: William, who died young; James was ne.xt in
order of birth; David and Orrin both died in early life; William, Edward,
Peter, Joseph, Noah, Mary, Hiram, Charles and Eliza Ellen. The last named
married William Smith. The grandparents of these children, Joseph and
Margaret Bates, were natives of England, from which country they came
to America, first locating in New Jersey, later removing to .Ancaster, Canada,
locating near Hamilton, Ontario, where they both died. Their family con-
sisted of twd sons and four daughters, of whom the following are remem-
bered: James, Joseph, Patty and Margaret. The grandfather, Joseph Bates,
was known as the "Sleeping Preacher." It was said of him that he was
'"called" of God U> ])reach the gospel, but refused to obey the summons, and
that while he could control liimself during liis waking hours and refrain from

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I3I

preaching, he was compelled to preach while asleep. Often people congre-
gated after he had gone t(3 bed to hear him preach, and pronounced his
sermons wonderful. Among those who had heard him was a Mr. Sutton,
who finally located in Flint, Michigan, who often testified to the fact that he
had heard Mr. Bates preach in his sleep.

Noah and Sarah Rogers, the Doctor's maternal grandparents, lived near
Binghamton, New York, where they died. Their family consisted of the
following children : Orrin, Nancy, Phila and Emeline.

Dr. Noah Bates was reared on his father's farm, near what is now
known as Bealton village. He attended the district schools and when four-
teen years old entered the grammar school at Simcoe, the county seat of
Norfolk county, where he spent three years, then entered Toronto Univer-
sity, where he studied over one year. After leaving the university, he taught
school seven years, then came to the United States in 1864 and entered the
medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, graduating
in March, 1866. He began the practice of his profession in Linden, Gene-
see county, soon thereafter, but, after spending two years at Linden, moved
to Grand Blanc where he practiced three years. He moved to Flint in 1871
and has practiced here ever since, a period of forty-five years, during which
his name has become a household word throughout the county where he has
spent a half century. He has been very successful as a general practitioner
and surgeon and has always enjoyed a large practice.

Dr. Bates was married on December 7, 1859, to Elvira Chapin, a daugh-
ter of Lyman and Matilda (Fairchilds) Chapin. She was born in Brant
county, Ontario, February 17, 1841, where her parents resided many years
on a farm. Mr. Chapin engaged in farming, also ran a saw-mill, and was
a skilled mechanic. He came to Lapeer county, Michigan, where his death
occurred in 1876 at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Chapin died in Ontario
in 1875 at the age of fifty-nine years. They were the parents of eight chil-
dren, namely: Mary. Charles, Melissa, Elvira, Sarah, Milton, Festus'and
Smith. Elam and Mary Chapin, paternal grandparents of Mrs. Bates, were
natives of New England and were the parents of three children, Lyman,
Charles and Mary. Elam Chapin married a second time and five children
were born to his last union, Lewis, Norman, Sallie, Harriet and Tryphena.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Bates were Isaac and Lucy ( Kilburn )
Fairchilds, who lived many years on a farm at Oakland, Ontario. Isaac
I'airchilds was a great hunter, a man of jwwerful physique, and was popular
among the Indians. He had the following children : Timothy, Asahel.
Samuel. Frank. Matilda. Pollv, Millie and several who died in infancv.

T32 GENI-.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Iliree children were born to Doctor Bates and wife, namely: Frances
Laura, who was graduated from the Flint high school, after which she
taught for several years, lives at home; Nellie Matilda, who married J. D.
Dorb, of Flint, died, leaving two children, Ralph and Dorothy : Alma Phila
is the wife of Joseph A. Evans, and they have one son. Dallas Chapin Evans.

In 1909 Doctor and Mrs. Bates celebrated their golden wedding anniver-
sar)' and they have now lived together nearly fifty-seven years.

Politically, Doctor Bates is a Republican. He served as coroner for
six years, also health officer for several years, and was county and city phvsi-
cian for a period of seventeen years. He belongs to the Genesee County
Medical Society, of which he was president for four years, and is still one
of the directors of the same; also belongs to the State Medical Association.
Fraternally, he is a meml>er of Genesee I^dge No. 174, Free and Accepted
Masons, in which he is serving his thirty-sixth year as secretarv. and to
Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons. He and his wife are
members of the Baptist church.

DR. ELDEN RAY SLUYTER.

Dr. Elden Ray Sluyter, a well-known young osteopathic physician at
Flint, with offices in the Paterson block, is a native son of Genesee county
and has lived here all his life. He was born in the village of Fenton in
1893, son of Edgar and Winifred (Wooding Sluyter. both natives of this
county, who are now living at Flint.

Edgar Sluyter is the younger of the two sons Iwrn to his parents,
pioneers of Genesee county, wlio became settlers here back in the days
when the Indians still roamed the forests hereabout, the elder son being
Waiter Sluyter. Grandfather Sluyter pre-empted a farm from the gov-
ernment on the banks of Long Lake and there he established his home, he
and his wife, both of whom lived to old age, spending the rest of their
lives there. Edgar Sluyter was reared on the homestead farm and in turn
became a farmer on his own account, tlie owner, in partnership with his
brother, Walter, of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres in l""cn-
ton township. He married Winifred Woodin, who also was born in this
county, her parents liaving been pioneer residents of the Swartz Creek
neighborhood and the parents of se\en children, Etta, Emma, Winifred.
William. Edward, George and Burnside. After his marriage Mr. Sluyter

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN. I33

continued to make his home on the farm until 1900, in which year he sold
the place and moved to Flint, where he has since made his home, witli
residence at No. 610 Clifford street. Mr. Sluyter is a member of the firm
of Smith, Bridgman & Company, general merchants of Flint, and is one of
the best-known business men in the city. He and his wife are members of
the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church. They have two sons, both
osteopathic ph3^sicians. the subject of this sketch ha\ing a brother, Dr.
Edward Glenn Sluyter, of Alma, this state.

Elden Ray Sltiyter was alx>ut eight years of age when his parents
moved from the farm to Flint and he grew to manhood in that city. Fol-
lowing his graduation from the Flint high school in 191 1 he clerked in a
store for a year and then went to Kirksville, Missouri, where he entered
the American School of O.^teopath)', from which he was graduated in June,
1915. Thus admirably equipped for the practice of his profession. Doctor
Sluyter returned to Flint and opened offices in the Paterson building, where
he ever since has been located. Doctor Sluyter has a wide acquaintance
throughout the city and county and is building up a lucrative practice. He
is a member of the Methodist church and a Mason, a member of Genesee
Lodge No. 174, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest. The
Doctor takes a proper interest in the general social and cultural activities
of his home town and all movements having as their object the promotion
of the best interests of the community find in him an earnest supporter.

ARTHUR E. RAAB.

Arthur E. Raalj, former city treasurer of the Hetchler-Iiaab Company,
reaJ estate and insurance. No. 120 West Kearsley street, Flint, is one of
Flint's native sons and has lived in that city all his life. He was born on
-May 23, 1884, son of George and Harriet (Tomlinson) Raab, the former
a native o'f Germany and the latter of this state, who are still living in Flint
ruul to whom six children were born, namely : M. Bertha, who married
Edward C. Spalding and died in December, 1914; Myrtis A., of Los Angeles,
California; Alice C, at home; Rev. Irving T., a Presbyterian minister at
Benton Harbor; Ethel E., a teacher at Caro, and Arthur E.

George Raab is the son of Eljerhard Raab and wife, who came to the
United States from Prussia in 1856 and settled in Flint, this county, estab-
lishing their home in that ])ortion of the city now com])rised in the fourth

134 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

ward, l)Ut wliich tlieii contained but two houses. Tliere they spent the rest
of their Hves, the mother dying at the age of fifty and the father hving to
tlie age of seventy-four. They had two sons, George Jacoh and Jacob George,
(reorge I^aal> was nine years old when he came to this country with his par-
ents and he grew up at FHnt, becoming a proficient cabinet-maker. In 1863.
at the age of sixteen, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Fourth Michigan
Cavalry, and served witli that command until mustered out at the end of
the war in 1S65. He was one of the detail commissioned to capture Jefifer-
son Davis and still has in his possession a small hand-mirror taken when the
vanquished president of the Confederacy was captured. Upon the comple-
tion of his military service George Raab returned to Flint and resumed work
at his trade. Presently he went to Holly, where he worked for some time,
hut afterward returned to P'lint, where he began clerking in a furniture
store, later engaging in the grocery business and then became the local agent
for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. For twentj-five years Mr. Raab
has served as a member of the board of county supervisors from the fourth
ward, city of l'"lint, and it was he who introduced the resolution for the erec-
tion of the present Genesee county court house. He is an Odd Fellow and
he and his wife are memters of the Methodist church. Mrs. Raab is a
daughter of l^rnest Tomlinson and wife, both now deceased, who were the
parents of eight children, William, John, Warren, Mariette, Myrtis. Orpha,
[•^•ank and Harriet. Ernest Tomlinson came to this country from England,
married jn the East and then came to Michigan, settling near Fulton in
pioneer da\s. He was a well-to-do farmer and was the founder of the ti)wn
of Sherwood. He died at the age of seventy-five, after which his widow
nioved to California, where she lived to the age of eighty-five years.

.'\rthur E. Raab was graduated from the Flint high school in lyoj and
then taught school for one term. In 1903 he entered Albion College and in
1905 the University of Michigan, taking the literary course, after which he
entered the employ of the old Mint Wagon Works. After a year of employ-
ment there he went with the Buick Motor Company, with which concern he
was employed until the time of his election to the office of city treasurer,
five years later. He ser\ed two terms in that oftice and upon the completion
of his public service was made secretary-treasurer of the Manufacturers
iMreworks Compan\ . In January, 1916, Mr. Raab formed a partnership
with Clarence O. Hetchler in the insurance and general real estate business
and is now thus engaged, with offices at No. 120 West Kearsley street. Mr.
Raab is a I\epul)lican and has long given close attention to local political
.itifairs. being one ni the ;icti\c workers of his party hereabout.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I35

On October 27. 1909, Artliur E. Raab was united in marriage to Laura
D. Spaulding, who was born on July 5, 1885, daughter of Edward C. and
]-"rances (Freeman) Spalding, both natives of this state, to whom two
daughters were born, Mrs. Raab having a sister, Florence. Edward C.
Spalding is a son of Dr. David Cox Spalding, who served as regimental
surgeon of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War, with the rank
nt major. Doctor Spalding was for years one of the leading citizens of
Lyons, in Ionia county, this state. He married Martha A. Ingersoll, of
.Marshall, this state, and to that union were born two children, Elizabeth,
who died in childhood, and Edward, who is still living. Mrs. Raab's maternal
grandfather, William Freeman, also was a native of Michigan, as was his
wife, and the two were long prominent residents of Ionia county, where they
died when well along in years. Mr. and Mrs. Raab are members of the
Presbyterian church, Mr. Raab being a member of the session and superin-
tendent of the Sunday school. He is a past master of Flint Lodge No. 23,
;i Royal .\rch i\Iason, a member oi Flint Council No. 56, Royal and Select
.Masters, and a Knight Templar, member of Genesee Valley Commandery
No. 15.

THOlMAS W. SMITHSON.

Journalism is a field in which many enter, but few remain, partly because
to succeed in it one must Ije energetic and persistent and at the same time be
possessed of a peculiar natural ability. One of the successful newspaper men
of Genesee county is Thomas W. Smithson, publisher of the Otisvillc Star.
He was torn in Weston. York county, Ontario, August 25, 1850, where he
grew up and attended school. He learned the printer's trade in the Times
office in Woodstock, that province. In the fall of 1880 he came to Otisville.
Michigan, from London, Ontario, and started the publication of the Weekly
Telegram. He remained here a little over a year, when he removed to Otter
Lake, and in Novemlier, 1883, went to Clio, where he published the Star for
.1 period of twenty-three years. Failing health, resulting from overwork,
caused him to suspend the publication of that ])aper in January, 1907, and
after three months' recuperative rest he returned to Otisville and has since
managed the Star alone. It is one of the best papers of its type in this sec-
tion of the state and has steadily grown in circulation.

Mr. Smithson was twice married. His first wife, whom he married in

136 CENKSKE COUNTY, MICHICAN.

T,ondon, Ontario, in 1878. died in (Jtisville, Ma\- 25, ujio. and on June 17.
lOii, he married ]\Irs. Jane Aletz, his present wife.

Mr. Smithson is a member of the Masonic order, the Eastern Star and
the Maccal>ees. He is a Republican, but has never allowed his political lean-
ings to bias him in the conduct of his newspaper. He has never aspired to
office, although he held the presidency and clerkship of Clio for years and
has also been village clerk in Otis\ille. Naturally of a retiring disposition,
he has largely confined his efforts to the newspaper business, in which he lias
rounded out a half century and is j)rohabiy the oldest printer-publisher in
Genesee county, in point of service.

UE\ . H()\\ARI) J. CLIKb'ORD.

The Rev. Howard J. Clifford, pastor of the Parkland Presbyterian
church at Flint and formerly and for years one of the best-known and most
influential officers of the Salvation Army in the United States, is a native of
England and comes of a family long noted in the gospel ministry in that
country. He was born in the County of Oxford, October 13, 1875, ^""
of Edward and Mary Hannah (Jones) Clifford, I)oth also natives of Oxford
and w-ho are still living there, to whom five children were born, of whom,
the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order oi birth, the others being
as follow: The Rev. Harry Clifford, pastor of a Baptist church at Los
Angeles. California; George, who died at the age of twenty-seven years:
Florence, who married Frank McDiaimid and is now deceased, and Mar-
garet, who married William ("oliins. of Oxford, and continues to li\e in tlie
city of her birth.

Mr. Edward Clilt'ord. now on the superannuated list, was for lifty years
an active preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist church at Oxford, preaching
three sermons each Sunda\-, with hardly an exception. He is now in his
seventy-seventh year and his wife in her seventy-sixth year. The latter was
the last-born of the four children which blessed the union of her parents.
Joshua and Sarah (P>issein Jones, natives of Oxfordshire, the former of
whom was a retainer, or confidential steward, of the .\lbright family, and
both of whom lived to old age. the others of their children being Henry.
George and Alfred. F.dward Cliff'ord's father. David Clifford, son of Will-
iam (Hifford. in his young manhood was a forester on the estate of Lord
Churchill. He mrirried Fdith Mylcs and later became an itinerant preacher

(iENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I37

in the W'eslcyan Metliodi.st church and continued thus engaged the rest of
his Hfe, becoming one of the most influential figures of that church in Eng-
land. He and his wife both lived to ripe old ages. They were the parents
of fourteen childreii who grew to maturity and several who died in youth,
those who reached maturity being Edith, Hannah, Harriet, Emily, Margaret,
-Annie, Rhoda, Price, Edward, William, John, Henry, David and James.
All the sons in this remarkable family became ministers of the gospel and
nearly all the daughters married ministers.

The Uev. Howard J. Clifford obtained in his native land an excellent
educational equipment for the difficult labors of the ministry, to which he
afterward was called, taking a course of theological training for the Wesleyan
Methodist ministry, afterwards coming to the United States. He began
l)reaching in England in 1895 and in 1901 came to tlie United States, land-
ing at the port of New \'ork on the day President McKinley was shot at
Buffalo. He went directly to ^'oungstown, Ohio, and there entered the
work of the Sahation .Army. -After some time spent at A^oungstown, he
was transferred to C levcland, (Jhio, and thence to Chicago. -After .several
other appointments, he was sent to IHint, at the close of IQ07, as adjutant of
the local corps of the .Salvation -\rmy at tiiat place. During his service at
Flint, in that connection, .Adjutant Clifford conceived the idea of erecting
the present citadel of the Salvation Army on Beach street, known as the best
Salvation Army building in the United States. He also organized the
famous Salvation .\rmy !)and at Flint, an organization which has long had
an international reinitation and which is said to be the best Salvation Ann\'
band in the countr\ . In 191.2 .Adjutant Clifford was promoted to the rank
of divisional commander, with the whole of southern California in his juris-
diction, and moved to I.os .Vngeles, where he established his headquarters.
While there he was greatly attracted to the democratic principles embodied
in the discipline and government of the Presbyterian church and identified
himself with that church. In September, 1913. he was ordained to the
ministry of the Presbyterian church b}- the presbytery of Logansport, synod
of Indiana, and immediately thereafter was called to act as assistant pastor
of the First Pre.sbvterian church at South Bend, Indiana, under the Rev. C.
-A. Lippincott. remaining tlnis engaged until he accepted the call, in October.
1915, as jiastor of the newl\- organized Parkland Presbyterian church at
i'lint and has ever since i)een pastor of that church. In March, 1916, Mr.
Clifford began the erection of a new twcnty-thousand-dollar church edifice,
his congregation having outgrown its original quarters. Mr. Clifford is a
thirtv-second-degree Mason, affiliated with the Rav Citv Consistory, .Ancient

138 GKNKSKE CnUNrv, MIC FI [CAN.

Accepted Scottisli kite, and l^ chaplain n\ i'lint l-ndse Xd. 174, l'"ree and
Accepted Masons, at Flint.

On October 9. 19OJ, the Rev. Howard. J, Cliti'urd was united in mar-
ri'a<(e to Marian D. Kin,<j. who was born at Watford, a suburb of the city of
London. June 22. 18S1, daughter of William and Mary (Birch) King, both
nf whom were bom at Rickmansworth. a suburb of London. William
King was a .son of William and Elizabeth King, who were the parents of six
children, Thomas, Sophia, .\lfred, William, Frank and Jesse, and his wife
was the fourth in order of birth of the fi\e children born to her parents, the
others being Joseph. William. Jesse and Thomas Birch. William King,
father of Mrs. Clifford, died in 1913, at the age of sixty-seven years, and
his widow is still living at Watford. He was a building contractor and
was for years chairman of the urban council, lie and his wife were the
parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Clifford was the fourth in order of
birth, the others being Minnie. Frank, William, Amy. Bert. Katie, James,
Edith and Thomas. Mrs. Clifford finished her .schooling in a private sem-
inary at Watford and is an able and competent helpmeet in the difficult lalx)rs
of her husband's ministry-.

To the Rev. Howard |, and .Marian U. (King) Clifford four children
have been born, namel)' : Harry, born at Cleveland, Ohio ; Conn Louis,
bom in Elkhart, Indiana: Louise C. born in Battle Creek. Michigan, and
William George, born in Los Angeles, California, a most interesting and
engaging group of youngsters.

WILLLAM A. PATERSOX.

William .A. I'aterson, former mayor of F'lint and one of the best-known
manufacturers of that city, a large realty owner and for many years prom-
inently connected with the industrial life of this section of the state, is a
native of Canada, born in the town of Guelph, Ontario, October 14, 1838.
He i.s a son of Archibald and Jane (Ingles) Paterson, natives of Scotland,
the former born at Oban, county of .Argyle, and the latter at Paisley, county
of Renfrew.

.Archibald Paterson was the son of .\rchibald Paterson, .a resident of
Oban, Scotland, who died there at an advanced age, the father of five chil-
dren, James, Hugh, Angus, .Archibald and Mrs. Mclntyre. The junior
.\rchibald Paterson emigrated to Canada in his young manhood and located

GENESIiE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I39

in the neighborliood of Guelph, Ontario, where lie became a farmer. He also
was a very competent carpenter and was the leading craftsman in that line in
iiis neighborhood. He married Jane Ingles, daughter of John and Margaret
( Lakey ) Ingles, the former a Paisley weaver, who had emigrated with his
familv to Canada, also settling on a farm in the Guelph neighborhood, where
he and his wife spent their last days. They were the parents of five chil-
dren. John. James, Jane, Margaret and .\nna. Archibald Paterson developed
a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres and was a man of prominence
in his community. He was for many years an elder in the Presbyterian
church and for years served as precentor of the congregation. His wife died
in 1849 and he survived for years, living to the great age of eighty-nine.
They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this
biographical review was the third in order of birth, the others being John I.,
[ames, Margaret, who died in young womanhood ; Mary, who married
Charles Kay. of Toronto; Adam and Jane, the latter of whom died in her
youth.

William A. Paterson was reared at Guelph. receiving his education in
the schools of that city, and there he learned the carriage-ironing trade, at
eighteen vears of age being a proficient journeyman craftsman. He then,
in 1857, came over the border into the United States and spent several years
working at his trade in the New England States, going thence to Kentucky,
where he was working when the Civil War broke out. Shortly afterward
he went to Aurora. Illinois, where he went to work in a factory that was
manufacturing ambulances for army service and was thus employed until
the close of the war, after which he and his brothers, John and James, went
to Kincardine, in Bruce county, Ontario, on Lake Huron, where they estab-
lished a wagon factor}-. In 1869 Mr. Paterson left Kincardine and came to
.Michigan, .\fter spending a few months at Pontiac he went to Flint, where
he opened a little shop for buggy repairs. From the very first this shop
j)rospered and he presently was compelled to rent a larger place. He then
built a small factory of his own and thus the Paterson industries at Flint
had their beginning. At first Mr. Paterson was able to do all the work in
his shop himself, but presently had to employ a helper and then more and
more assistants until, in the palmy days of the buggy business, his factory
employed a force of one hundred and fifty men. In all the years since -Mr.
Paterson erected his first shop in Flint there has never been a year in which
he has not erected some form of a building in that city, either a factory, a
residence or a business block and he thus has long been recognized as one of
the most potent individual factors in the development of the city of Flint.

I40 (-.ENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

During the- time Mr. I'aterson was engat^ed in the manufacture of
Iniggies, W. C. Durant secured a patent on a new road cart and engaged him
to manufacture a sample cart after his model. So effective did this sample
pro\e that the next order was for one hundred carts, the next for five hun-
dred and then tlie orders began to come in jjy the thousands, after which
the Durant & Dort Company erected a factory of their own, which later
was developed into the present automobile industry of that company, the
little road cart manufactured in Mr. Paterson's shop thus having proved
to be the nucleus around which eventually gathered Flint's present ex-
tensive automobile interests, which have done so much toward promoting
the city's later growth. In 1909 Mr. Paterson engaged in the manufacture
of automobiles and has since then given the greater part of his time to
the development of that industry. He erected a fine five-story brick fac-
tory and about seventy-five persons are now engaged in the manufacture
of the Paterson automobile, the popularity of which is being demonstrated
by the fact that tlie orders for the same for the current year are about
three times tlie \iilume of any ])re\ious year. Mr. Paterson was one of
the organizers of tlie L'nion Trust and Savings Bank of P'lint and is
vice-president nf tiie same. Among the many buildings he has erected in
Flint and which stanil as monuments to his business sagacity and enterprise
may be mentioned the Paterson block, the Dryden block, the Ingles block, the
Dresden hotel and numerous others, including quite a number of the hand-
•somest residences in the city. .Mr. i'aterson is a Republican and in the days
when he took a more acti\ e i)art in political affairs than he does at present was
recognized as one of the leaders of that party in Genesee county. He served
;is ma\or of Mint for :i number of years and his administration was marked
by many notable public improvements. He has a fine home at No. 310 East
Third street, where he is very pleasantly situated in the genial "sunset time"
of his long :md useful life.

On December _'4, iS^j, William A. i'atL-rson was united in marriage to
Mary Dryden, who was horn near (lUelph. Ontario, daughter of Thomas and
Mary Dryden, both natives nf Scotland, who were prominent citizens in the
Guelph neighborhood and the parents of five chiUlren, of whom Mrs. Pater-
son was the eldest, the others being Margaret, who married J. Pj. .\rmstrong:
.Mrs. Re\ . IHrrence, nf Guelph; Mr.s. Wood, of the same jil.-ice, .and Thomas,
who also still lives at Guelph. To Mr. and Mrs. Paterson five children were
Ixirn, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follow: Maude i^..
who married W. R. Hubbard, who is treasurer of the \\'. .\. Paterson Com-
])any of l-'lint, and died Iciving one daughter. Mary Paterson Huiibanl :

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I4I

William S., who is associated with his father in business, married Myrtle
Leonard, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, and has a son. William Leonard; Madelon,
who married Arthur C. Pound, of Grand Rapids, has four daughters, Mary
Dryden, ALaude Elizabeth, Madelon Paterson and Alargaret Ingles. Mrs.
l^aterson died in 1900. at the age of fifty-three years. She was a devoted
member of the Presbyterian church and for years was one of the leaders in
all good works hereabout.

Mr. Paterson has Ijeen .an eklcr in the Presbyterian chiu-ch for more than
a quarter of a century and has ever been interested in church work. He is
a thirty-second-degree Mason, affiliated with the Detroit consistory of the
.\ncient Accepted Scottish Rite, and a noble of Moslem Temple, Ancient
.\rabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in that city. His local con-
nection with the order is through Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted
Masons; Flint Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and Genesee Valley
Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar. Mr. Paterson was one of the
charter members of the old original Knights of Pythias lodge at Flint and is
a member of Flint Lodge No. 222, P.enevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

WTLLTAM T. HYNES.

William T. Hynes, a well-known dealer in real estate, loans and insur-
ance and proprietor of the National Collection Agency, with offices in the
Fenton building at Flint, is a native of Canada, having been bom in the citv
of Guelph, Ontario, June 3, 1862. He is a son of John Hynes, a native of
Ireland, whose last days were spent at Gaines, this county.

John Hynes was but a lad when his parents, Michael Hynes and wife,
emigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1847 and settled at Guelph. Michael
Hynes was a new^spaper man and remained at Guelph until 1872, in which
year he came to Michigan and located on a farm near Gaines, in this county,
where he spent the remainder of his life, being ninety-six years of age at
the time of his death. He was twice married, his first wife dying when
comparatively young, leaving two children, John and Mary. He married,
secondly, a Miss Clark, to which union fi\e children were born, Terrence.
Margaret, George, James and \^^illiam. John Haynes grew to manhood in
Canada and became a farmer in the vicinity of Guelph, the owner of a farm
of about one hundred acres, where he lived until 1871, in which year he
came to this state and located at Gaines. There he bought an eighty-acre

142 GKNESEE COliNTY. ^flCHIGAN.

farm, wliich lie proceeded to improxc. and as lie prospered added thereto
until he was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres. He spent the
rest of his life there and his widow survived him some years, her death
occurring in 1910. she then being seventy-three years of age. She was a
daughter of Daniel Hayes, who emigrated from Ireland with two daughters.
Bridget and Mary, and settled in the neighborhood of Guelph. Canada,
where he spent the rest of his life, living to old age. John Hynes and his
wife were members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in
that faith. There were ten of these children, namely: John P., of Dulifield.
this state; James, of Flint; Margaret, wife of P. H. Cooney. of Durand.
this state; William T., the subject of this biographical sketch; Daniel, of
Sault Ste. Marie; Edward, of Gaines; Catherine. Joseph and Mary, also of
Gaines, and one who died in youth.

William T. Hynes was but a boy when iiis ])arents moved to this county
and he grew up on the farm. Upon completing the course in the public
schools, he went West and at Butte, Montana, took a course in a business
college. Conditions there at that time appealed to him and he remained at
Butte for twenty years, gradually becoming the possessor of considerable
real estate and mining interests. In 1906 he disposed of his interests at
Butte and returned to Genesee county, locating at Flint, where he opened a
real-estate ofifice and has ever since been quite successfully engaged there in
the realty business, in addition to which he also handles loans and insurance.
He also is proprietor of the widely know-n National Collection Agency and
takes an active interest in tlie general business affairs of his home town.
He is a Republican "to the backbone" and takes a warm interest in local
political affairs, but is not included in the office-seeking class.

PATRICK FI)\\"ARn NI^RNON.

Patrick Edward \'ernon, a well-known dealer in real estate and loans.
with ofifices in the F'enton block, Flint, is a iiatixe of New ^'ork state. Init
has been a resident of this county practically all the time since he was six
or seven years old. and lias thus been a witness to and a participant in tlie
wonderful development that has marked this region in the past generation.
He was bom near the city of Rochester, son of Patrick and Mary (O'Hare)
Vernon, natives of County Down, Ireland, who later came to this county,
where their last days were spent. ■

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I43

I'atrick \ernon was the eldest of the four children born to his parents,
farmers in County Down, whose last days were spent in Belfast, the others
having been Bernard, John and Mary. When eighteen years of age he
came to the United States and settled eighteen miles east of the city of
Rochester, New York, where he eventually engaged in the contracting and
building line, and was thus engaged until he came to Michigan in 1870
and located in this county. He bought a farm of one hundred and si.\t\'
acres in Mt. Morris township, ou the Saginaw road, which he partly cleared
and then, alx)ut 1879, sold that place and bought another farm, a tract of
forty acres, on which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring
in 1 89 1. His widow survived him one year. She was a daughter of
Michael and Cadierine (O'Rourke) O'Hare, natives'of Ireland, who came
to America in their youth with their respecti\e parents, both the O'Hares
and the 0"Rourkes settling in the vicinity of the city of Baltimore. Michael
O'Hare became a farmer in the neightorhood of Baltimore and spent his
life there. He and his wife were the parents of two children, Mrs. Vernon
ha\ing had a brother, Peter. Mrs. O'Hare had two brothers, Daniel and
fames O'Rourke, slave-owners, Iwth soldiers in the War of 1812, the latter
of W'hom was an officer in the army. He conducted a hotel in Baltimore
and operated a large tannery in that cit}-. Patrick Vernon and his wife
were earnest and de\out members of the Catholic church and their children
were reared in that faith. There were seven of the.se children, namely :
Peter, an honored veteran n\ the Civil War, who died in 1891, was one
of the first to enlist at the r;iising of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, New
York \ olunteers, for service in the Civil War, with which regiment he
served for three years and was- badly wounded at the battle of Fredericks-
burg; Catherine Etta; .\lice ; Ivlizabeth, deceased; Michael, a former real-
estate dealer at Battle Creek, now deceased: Patrick E.. the subject of this
sketch, and .Anna Gertrude.

Patrick E. Vernon was hut a lad of six or seven years when his par-
ents came to this county and he grew to manhood on the paternal farm in
Mt. Morris township, recei\'ing his schooling in the district school in that
neighborhood. He early learned the trade of a mason. He was engaged
as a building contractor until about 1900, when he engaged in the general
real-estate business. For three years he was located at Battle Creek, after
which he opened an office at IHint, where he has ever since been engaged
in the same business, and where he has done \ery well, being one of the
best-known realty men in that city. Mr. Vernon and his sisters, Catherine
and Anna, live together at No. 716 North Saginaw street, where they have

144 GENESEF. rOLTNTY. MICrilGAX.

a very pleasant home and where they are very comfortably situated. They
also are owners of several adjacent liits of property. They are members
of the Catholic church and take an earnest interest in parish affairs, as well
as in local good works generally.

WILLI. \.\l H. .\lcKiaGH.\K.

William H. McKeighan. former mayor of I'lint and a prominent mer-
chant of that city, former alderman and for years actively identified with
the promotion of his home town's later phenomenal growth, is a native of
Ohio, but has been a resident of Michigan since boyhood. He was born in
the city of Cleveland, July i. 1886, son of David and Mary (Corcoran)
McKeighan, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Pennsylvania,
who were the parents of nine children, namely : Francis, deceased ; Thomas,
of Fresno, California; David, of St. Charles, this state: Jennie, wife of
Paul J. Mulhauser, of Cleveland. Ohio: Esther, deceased, who was the wife
of Harrv' Dolson: Jolm J., a tliuggist. of Flint: George, a druggist, of
Flint; William H.. the subject of this biographical sketch, and one who died
in infancy.

The senior David McKeighan was liu- ^on of David McKeighan, a
native of Scotland, who marrietl a Walker and came to America, settling
at Farmington. Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life. li\ ing to a
rifje old age. His widow snrvi\ed him many years, her death occurring in
Iowa at the great :ige of ninety-si.\ years. They were the parents of five
children, John. Samuel. Peter, David and \'ashti. David ■McKeighan,
second, was reared at Farmington and at the outbreak of the Civil War
enlisted as a private in the Fifty-fifth Regiment. Illinois \^olunteer Infantry.
Upon the completion of hi? original term of service he re-enlisted in the same
company and became second lieutenant of the same, serving until the close
of the war. He was twice wounded: was with Sherman on the march to the
sea, participated in some nf the bloodiest battles of the war and took part
in the Grand I\evie^\ at ^^';lshi^gtlln. .\11 iiis brothers also were veterans
of the Civil War. ~ .

Upon the completion of his military service, David McKeighan for a
time followed the life of a sailor on the Great Lakes and then became a rail-
road man, for years in the service of the Big Four Railroad Company, with
headquarters at Cleveland, where he died at the age of fifty-five years. His

\5»^^^«H^-

\\!x^/^/^A^.A^

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I45

widow, who still sur\i\es. is the daughter of Thomas and Mary Corcoran,
natives of Ireland, who came to America and settled in Pemisylvania, later
coming to Michigan and settling on a farm in Gaines township, this county,
whence, late in life they moved to Ohio, where their last days were spent,
hoth living to ripe old ages. Thomas Corcoran and wife were the parents
of five children, Michael. Thomas, Sarah, Margaret and Mary.

William H. McKeighan spent his boyhood in Cleveland, receiving his
early schooling in the schools of that city, and liis studies later were con-
tinued in the schools of Saginaw and of St. Charles, this state, graduating
from the high school in the latter city in 1906. In the meantime he had
been clerking in drug stores from boyhood and upon leaving the public school
took a regulation course in pharmacy and was registered as a certified
pharmacist, under the state laws, in 1907. For some time thereafter he
traveled through the West and in 1909 located permanently in Flint, where
he established himself in the drug business and where he is now the owner
of three drug stores in partnership with his brothers, John J. and George W.
McKeighan. Mr. McKeighan is a Republican and from the very begin-
ning of his residence in Flint has taken an active interest in local politics. In
igi3 he was elected alderman from the first ward and on April 5, 1915,
was elected mayor of the city. In that election his home ward gave him a
majority of one thousand and eighty-six votes. In 1914 he was his party's
nominee for state senator from this district, but was defeated by a small
majority. Mr. McKeighan's business interests are not confined wholly
to his drug stores, as he also is the owner of a hardware store in Flint and
is the proprietor of a moving-picture theater.

Mr. McKeighan has taken a prom.inent part in local lodge circles and
is captain general of Subordinate Division No. 125, Loyal Guard, a new
di\ ision of that order, made up of representative young men of Flint. He
is a Scottish-Rite Mason, affiliated with the consistory at Bay City, and is a
noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated
with Elf Khurafeh Temple at Saginaw. His local affiliation with the
Masonic order is through Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted
Masons; Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and Genesee
Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar. He also is a member of
Genesee Lodge No. 74, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Flint Lodge
No. 222. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Flint Lodge No. 159,
loyal Order of the Moose; Aerie No. 629, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and
the Knights of Pythias. Mr. AIcKeighan is married and has a very pleasant
Cioa)

I4() GENICSKK COUNTV. MICHIGAN.

home in Flint. On March ii, nM.v Iw married Clara Lull, who was horn
at Big Rapids, this state, and both he and his wife take a proper interest in
the various social anfl cultural actixitios of their home town.

CHARLES W. 13UMANOIS.

Charles W. Dumanois, well-known funeral director at Flint, of the
firm of Dodds & Dumanois, is a native of the Empire state, but has lived
in this county since he was eleven years old. He was born at Buffalo, New
York, May 3, 1872, son of William and Julia (Brennon) Dumanois, both
natives of Ne^v York state, the former born at Buffalo and the latter at
Utica, who are now living on their fine farm in Da\ison township, this
county, where they have made their home since 1883.

The parents of William Dumanois, Claude and .Mary .\nn ( Clair j
Dumanois, were horn in Alsace-Lorraine and came to America, with their
respective parents, on the same sliip, the former being fourteen years of age
at that time and the latter twelve. Their parents settled at Buffalo, New
York, and there they grew up and were married, five children being born
to them, of whom William was the eldest, the others being Lucien. also a
resident of Davison township, this county; Theodore, of Fenton township,
this county; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Steimetz, of Richfield township, and
Rosa, wife of George Neubecker. In the early eighties the Dumanois family
came to this state cUid settled in Davison township, this county, where Claude
Dumanois and his wife spent the rest of their lives, both dying in 1903,
he then being eighty-six years of age and she, eighty-four. William Duma-
nois was past thirty-five years of age when he came to Genesee county in
1883. He had grown up in Buffalo, had married there and for some years
previous to coming to Michigan had been engaged in the hotel business.
Upon his arrival here he purchased the Hill fann of eighty acres in Davison
township, at that time regarded as a prize fann. and proceeded to further
improve and develop the same. As he prospered he bought other farms, l)ut
later sold all but his original home farm, where he and his wife are still
living, he at the age of seventy-one and she at the age of sixty-eight. The
parents of Mrs. Dumanois, Amy Brennon and wife, the latter of whom was
a Marrigould, also were Alsatians and came over to .\merica on the same
vessel that brought the Dumanois family, but they settled at Utica. New
York, intsead of at Buffalo, and there Amy Brennon became a successful

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I47

dairyman. His wife died at tiie age of forty-eight years, but he lived jiist
twice as long, he having been ninety-six years of age at the time of his
death. They were the parents of eleven children, Julia, Amy, Virginia,
Rainy, Eleanor, Lucien, Charles, Eugene. Adell, Margaret and Fred, the
latter of whom died when twelve years old. William Dumanois and his wife
are earnest members of the Catholic church and their children were reared
in that faith. There are two of these children, the subject of this sketch
having a brother, Eugene N. Dmnanois, a prosperous farmer of Davison
township, this county.

Charles \V. Dumanois was eleven years old when he came to this
county with his parents in 1883 and his schooling was completed in the
district school in the neighborhood of his home and at the high school at
Davison. From boyhood he took an active part in public affairs in his
home community and was treasurer of Davison village for four years and
aldemian of the same village for two years. He remained on the home
fann until he was twenty-two years old, after which he moved to Flint,
where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. He thus con-
tinued for eleven years, at the end of which time he formed a partnership
with Albert W. Dodds in the undertaking business, under the firm style of
the Dodds-Dumanois Company, incorporated, with a capital stock of
twenty-five thousand dollars, which mutually agreeable partnership still
continues, the firm doing a large business, carrying one of the finest gen-
eral undertaking equipments in the state. This firm also provides an ambu-
lance service for the city of Flint and is thoroughly modern and up-to-date
in the methods employed in conducting its business. Mr. Dumanois is a
Democrat and gives thoughtful attention to local political affairs.

On November 24, 1904, Charles W. Dumanois was united in marriage
to Blanche M. Rumer, who was born in Richfield township, this countv.
May 14, 1883, daughter of Dr. James F. and Clara Allen (Golden) Rumer,
prominent residents of Genesee county, who have been living at Davison
for nearly thirty years. Doctor Rumer was born in Ohio and his wife is
a native of this county, born in Mt. Morris township, daughter of Enos
and Sarah (Allen) Golden, both also natives of Genesee county, representa-
tives of two of the earliest pioneer families in this part of the state. Enos
Golden and wife were the parents of four daughters, of whom Mrs. Rumer
is the youngest, the others being ]\Trs. Georgia Berne, of Jackson township,
this county; Mrs. Elizabeth Hazelwood. of Detroit, and Frances, wife of
.\rchie Allen, of Pa.sadena, California. To Doctor and Mrs. Rumer six-
children were lx)rn, of whom Mrs. Diunanois is the third in order of birth.

14^ GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

the Others being Dr. Edward C. Rumer, of Flint; James F., Jr., of Oak-
wood, California; Margaret, who died in childhood; Jesse, of Flint, and
Allan, of Davison. To Mr. and Mrs. Dumanois two children have been
bom. Julian and Harold C. Mr. and Mrs. Dumanois are members of St.
Michael's Catholic church and take an active interest in parish affairs. Mr.
Dumanois is a member of the Kniglits of Columbus and of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks and in the affairs of both of these organiza-
tions takes a warm interest. The Dumanois home is at No. 121 5 Detroit
street, where the family is very pleasantly situated.

ARTHUR JUSTUS REYNOLDS. M. D.

Dr. Arthur Justus Reynolds, former health officer for Flint and one
of the best-known and most successful physicians in that city, is a native
son of Michigan, and has lived in this state all his life. He was born at
Grand Haven on June 19. 1880, son of Dr. John N. and Florence (Keeler)
Reynolds, who were tlie parents of five children, of w^hom the subject of
this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being Anna Louise,
wife of William J. Younghusband, living near Shelby, this state; Jessie
M., who is a teacher in the Muskegon high school, and two who died in
infancy.

Dr. John N. Reynolds was born in Indiana, but was but an infant
w^hen his parents, Justus Reynolds and wife, moved back from that state
to their native Canada, where they spent the rest of their lives. Grandfather
Reynolds having been eighty years of age at the time of his death and his
wife seventy-seven when she died. The elder Doctor Reynolds received
excellent educational advantages in his youth and upon completing the
course in the public schools entered the old Cleveland Homeopathic College
at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated in the sixties. He began
his professional career at St. Clair and there married Florence Keeler, the
elder of the two daughters bom to her parents. Grandfather Keeler was
a captain on the Great Lakes. Upon the death of his wife he moved to
Valparaiso, Chile. After some years of practice at St. Clair, Dr. John N.
Reynolds moved to Grand Haven, this state, where he has been continu-
ously engaged in the practice of his profession for forty years. His first
wife died in 1885 and he married, secondly, Frances P. Parks.

i^r. Arthur 1. Revnolds is a graduate of the medical department

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I49

(homeopathic) of the University of Michigan, which he entered following
his graduation from the Grand Haven high school in 1899. He was gradit-
ated from the university in 1903 and for a year thereafter served as interne
in the hospital at Ann Arbor, where he gained much valuable practical
experience in his profession. In 1904 Doctor Reynolds opened an office
for the practice of his profession at Flint and has ever since been located
in that city, with offices in the Paterson building. Doctor Reynolds has
taken high rank in his profession and is a member of the Genesee County
Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Association and the American
Medical Association. During 1905-06 he was the local health officer for
the city of Flint and is now examining physician for the Michigan State
Tuberculosis Sanitarium.

On November 14, 1906, Dr. Arthur J. Reynolds was united in mar-
riage to Edna Kitchen, who was bom at Marinette, Wisconsin, May "5.
1884, daughter and only child of Frank Kitchen and wife, both now
deceased, and to this union one child has l>een born, a daughter, Susan
Frances. Doctor and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the Episcopal church
and take a warm interest in the general social and cultural activities ■of
their home town and of the county at large. They have a very pleasant
home at No. 910 East Kear.sley .street, a residence which Doctor Reynolds
erected in 191 5.

HOR.A.CE B. FREEMAN.

Horace B. Freeman, one of the best-known and most enterprising
merchants of the town of Swartz Creek, this county, is a native of the
state of Iowa, but has lived in Genesee county since he was a child.: He
was born on a farm in Holt township, Taylor county, Iowa, Jime 18, 1874,
son of Charles and Anna (Bailey) Freeman, the former a native of Ver-
mont and the latter of Pennsylvania, who are now living at Flushing, this
county.

Charles Freeman came to Michigan with his parents from Vermont
when a child and when seventeen years of age enlisted for service during
the Civil War as a private in Company C, Twenty-third Regiment, Michi-
gan Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served until the close of
the war. He later went to Iowa and there married Anna Bailey, a couple
of years later returning to Michigan and settling in this county. About
four years later he returned to Iowa with his family, but about three years

150 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

later came back to Michigan and settled on a fami in Flushing township,
this county, where he lived until his retirement from the active labors of
the farm and removed to Flushing, where he and his wife are now living,
very pleasantly situated. They are the parents of four children, of whom
the subject of this sketcli is the eldest, the others being Frank J., a fanner
of Flushing township, this county; Edith M., widow of Mr. F'ogle, of
Pontiac, this state, and Beulah, unmarried, who is at home with her par-
ents. Mr. and Mrs. F'reeman are members of the Baptist church and for
many years have taken a warm interest in the affairs of the same.

Horace B. Freeman was about six months old when his parents came
to Michigan from Iowa; was about five when they returned to the latter
state and about eight when they came back to this county and established
their pennanent residence in Flushing township, where he grew to man-
hood. Upon completing the course in the F'lushing schools, he entered the
office of the Flushing Observer, with a view to becoming a printer, but
after two years of that form of experience gave up the printing trade and
entered the general store of Herriman & Fox, where he remained for seven
years. At the end of that time he took service with Smith, Bridgman &
Company, two years later going to the store of E. B. Breman & Company,
and was thus connected until August, 1907, when he bought the store of
A. T. Miller S: Company at Swartz Creek, and has ever since been engaged
in business at the latter place, long having been recognized as one of the
leading merchants of that place. Mr. Freeman is a Republican and during
Ills residence at Flushing for three years served as clerk of that township.

In 1899 Horace B. Freeman was united in marriage to Laura D. Mc-
Kenzie, who was born at Wingham, Ontario, and reared in Flushing, and
to this union three children have been bom, Helen, bom in igcx), who was
graduated from the Flushing high school with the class of 1916; Ralph,
bom in 1903, and Robert, born in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are mem-
bers of the Baptist church and take an earnest interest in the affairs of
the same. Mr. Freeman is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the "blue"
lodge at Flushing, of which he is a past master, and of the chapter at
Flushing, while both he and his wife are members of the Flushing chapter
of the Order of the Eastern Star, Mrs. Freeman having held some of the
important offices in the same. Mr. Freeman also is an active member of
Swartz Creek Lodge No. 309, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which
he is a past noble grand, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of all
these fraternal organizations.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

PAUL L. LAING.

One of the leading business men of Otisville is Paul L. Laing, mer-
chant and undertaker, who also owns a good farm in Richfield township,
Genesee county. He was born in the above-named village, December 6,
1S72, and is a son of John B. and Harriet (Look) Laing. The father
was born at Calcaldy, across the Firth from Edinburgh, Scotland. When
nine years old his parents brought him to America, where the father, who
was a seafaring man, settled on a farm in New England, where he spent
the rest of his hfe. John B. Laing received a high school education in
Vermont, then entered Bowdoin College, Maine, where he studied the lan-
guages and medicine; later was a student in the University of Michigan,
then one year in the Detroit College of Medicine, being valedictorian of his
class in 1869. He came to Mt. Morris, Genesee coimty, where he taught
one term of school, also practiced medicine, then located in Otisville in
1 87 1, continuing in active practice of his profession until late in life. His
death occurred here on April 6, 1908, he having lived in retirement the
last seven years of his life. He was for many years one of the leading
physicians of the county. His wife preceded him to the grave on May 31,
1893. They were parents of five children, four now living, namely: Paul
L., of this sketch; Gertrude died in infancy; Ronald J. is in business in
Otisville; John B. lives in Flint; Gladys is the wife of Walter Vastbinder,
of Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Doctor Laing was a profound scholar and an influential man in his
community. He was an active worker in the cause of temperance and an
ardent churchman, but not biased in his religious views. He was a char-
ter member and acting secretary of Otisville Lodge No. 401, Free and
Accepted Masons, for a number of years.

Paul L. Laing was graduated from the Flint high school, then entered
the University of Michigan in 1894, spending two years in the law depart-
ment, after whicli he taught three years in the public schools of Otisville.
He then bought the general store of O. E. Snider and formed the fimi
of McConnick & Laing, which partnership existed thirteen years, from
1900 to 19 1 3, when they sold to Crawford & Laing. The following autumn
Mr. Laing bought the Corner Store, an interest in which he subsequently
sold to Mr. Misner, the firm now being Laing & Misner. They carry a
large general stock of merchandise and do a thriving business. Mr. Laing
is also a licensed embalmei- and undertaker.

Mr. Laing was married on April 7, 1896, to Nellie M. McConnick, a

152 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

daughter of John H. and Ellen J. (Roberts) McCormick. Her father's
parents came from Ireland, locating in Forest township. Genesee county,
Michigan, and John H. McCormick was the first white male child born
there. To Mr. and Mrs. Laing the following children have been torn :
Harriet I., who died in infancy; l^ouglas R., John K.. Paul A.. Charles
M. are all in school; Hunton W. is the baby.

Mr. Laing is independent in his political views. He has served as
justice of the peace, is now serving his second term as president of Otis-
ville, and has been a member of the village council a number of times. He
belongs to Otisville Lodge No. 401. Free and Accepted Masons, the
Modem Woodmen of America, and he and his wife belong to the Eastern
Star and the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and is
active in the work of the same.

WALTER P. CHRYSLER.

Walter P. Clir\sler, general manager for the Buick Motor Company at
Flint, is a native of Kansas, born at Wamego, that state, April 2, 1875.
son of Henry and Mary (Breyman) Chrysler, both of whom were born in
Wyandotte count}', that state, and who are now li\ing comfortably retired
in the city of Salina, Kansas.

Henry Chrysler was the younger of the two sons l)orn to his parents.
the elder brother being Todd Chrysler. The father was a native of Ken-
tucky and the mother, of Massachusetts. Grandfather Chrysler was a
grocer and flour-miller at Wyandotte and he and his wife spent their last
days there. When he was fourteen years of age, Henry Chrj'sler ran away
from home and enlisted as a drummer lx)y in the Twelfth Regiment, Kansas
Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served until the close of tiie
Civil War. after which he returned home and worked in his father's mill
for some time, later going to Armstrong, Kansas, where he became employed
in the shops of the Kansas Railroad Company. Some }-ears later he became
a locomotive fireman and presently was promoted to the position of loco-
motive engineer, running the first coal-burning locomotives on that line.
For forty-one years Henry Chrysler served as a lomomotive engineer and
then retired from the road, c(intinuing to make his home in Salina, where
he and his wife now reside. They are meml>ers of the Methodist cluircli
and their children were reared in that faith. There were four of these clnl-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1 53

dren, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth,
the others being as follow: Edward E.. of Detroit; Irene, wife of Edward
Harvey, of Salina, Kansas, and one who died in early childhood. Mrs.
Chr}'sler's father was horn in Germany and as a young man came to this
country and located at Wyandotte. Kansas, where he engaged in the drug
business, later engaging in the live-stock business, in which he became quite
successful. Both he and his wife lived to advanced ages. They were the
parents of live children, Zerelda, Mar)-. Carl. George and John.

Walter P. Chrysler was three years old when his parents moved from
Wamego to Ellis, Kansas, and in the latter town he grew to manhood. Fol-
lowing his gra.duation from the high school, he entered the Union Pacific
railroad shops there and acquired a thorough acquaintance with the general
principles of railroad mechanics, four years later transferring his services
to the Santa Fe railroad and was for some time employed as a general
mechanic in the shops of that company at Arkansas City. He then went
to the main shops of the company at Topeka, where he remained a year,
at the end of which time he began a tour as a journeyman machinist, with
a view to working in all the shops of the Union Pacific system for the bene-
fit of the experience thus to be acquired. Upon completing this round of
employment he returned to Ellis and resumed his place in the Union Pacific
shops at that place, presently interrupting his labors to take a course in a
business college there. Afterward he went to Salt Lake City and, after a
year's serAice as a general mechanic in the shops in that city, was made
round-house foreman, a position he occupied for eighteen months, during
which time, in June, iQci, he rcturne<l to Ellis and was there married.
From Salt Eake City Mr. Chrysler went to Trinidad, Colorado, as general
foreman of the shops of the Colorado Southern railway at that place and
was presently promoted to the position of master mechanic, with head-
cjuarters at Childers, Texas. After a .service of some time in that con-
nection, he was engaged by the Chicago Great \\'estern railroad as master
mechanic of the shops of that company at Oelwein. Iowa, and while serving
in that capacity was promoted to the position of superintendent of motive
power and machinery. He served in that capacity until his services were
engaged by the American Locomotive Compan}-, as manager of the great
plant of that company at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he remained until
his services were secured by tiie Buick Motor Company at Flint. In |anu-
ary. 1912, Mr. Chrysler was installed as manager of the works of the great
■Biiick niant at Mint, having eight thousand workmen under his direction.

154 (;i:xi:si:}-: t•()^•\•T^■, mkhigax.

On July 1. 191O, ■Mr. Chryslirr \va> pnmioted to the position of general
manager of the Buick Motor t'onipany.

On June 4, iQOi, Walter P. Chrysler was united in marriage, at Ellis,
Kansas, to Delia V. Forker, daughter of George Forker and wife, of that
city, and to this union four children have been lx)rn, Thelma, Bernice, Walter
and Jack. Mrs. Chrysler is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Chrys-
ler is a Scottish-Rite Mason and a noble of Isis Temple. Ancient Arabic
Order of Nobles of the Mwstic Shrine, at Salina, Kansas.

lOHN F. BAKER.

John F. Baker, of Flint, one of the best-known attorneys in that city
and a former member of the board of aldermen, is a native of Canada, but
has lived in this county since he was about eight years old. He was lK)rn on
Howe island, in the township of Pittsburg, province of Ontario, March 5.
1874, son of Thomas and Jemima (Kelley) Baker, both natives of England,
the former born in Devonshire and the latter in Cornwall; the father is still
living on their farm in Flint township, this county ; the mother died on
April 20, 1916. To them eight children were born, as follow : Smith H., a
farmer of Flint township, this count)- : Susan, deceased, who was the wife of
Charles E. Rice, of Mundy township, this county; George K.. of Flint town-
ship; Elizabeth A., wife of J. Frank Sheldon, of that same township; John
l'\. the subject of this biographical sketch: Eva G., wife of Samuel A. Her-
rick, living on the old home farm in I'lint township, and two who died
young.

Thomas Baker is the son of John Baker, who died at his home in
Flint township, this county, in 1885. at the age of ninety-four years. John
Baker, about 1846, after the death of his wife in England, came to this
country with his son, John, and settled with the latter in Flint township, this
county, where the latter died in 1884, at the age of sixty-five years, his
father surviving him a year. The elder John Baker was the father of ten
children, John, Charles, Thomas, Mrs. Fdizabeth Sussex, who is still living
in Devonshire, England; Mar}-. .Vmclia. Ann, Charlotte, Eliza and Martha.
Thomas Baker was apprenticed in his youth to a miller, but after moving to
Canada, he settled near Kingston and engaged in farming. His father and
his brothers, Jolut and Charles, had preceded him to Michigan. Upon the
death of his eldest brother. John, in 1884. he came here to attend the funeral

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I55

and was so well pleased with the lay of the land that he bought a farm of one
hundred and ten acres in Flint township and moved there the next year, in
1885. He is still living on the home farm, at the age of eighty -two years.
His wife was the daughter of John and Rebecca (Bellman) Kelley, who
emigrated from England with their family to Canada and settled on Howe
island, where they spent the rest of their lives, the mother dying when past
middle age and the father living to the age of seventy- four. They were the
parents of seven children, Elizabeth, Susan, Jemima, Tabitha, William, John
and Delia. Thomas Baker and his wife are Methodists. During the years
he lived in Canada he was politically affiliated with the dominant party and
held various minor local offices. Upon coming to the United States he affili-
ated with the Democratic party and has ever taken a warm interest in poli-
tical affairs.

John E. Baker was about eleven years old when his parents came to this
county and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Flint township, receiv-
ing his elementary education in the Crocker school. \Vhen twenty years of
age he went to Midland and began clerking in a store there. Shortly after-
ward William L. Baker erected an elevator at that place and he was made
superintendent of the same, remaining thus engaged until the spring of 1897,
when he w-ent to Flint and entered upon a course in stenography and type-
writing in the old Normal College, upon the completion of which course he
returned to Midland and there for about two years read law in the office of
M. J. Gue. He then returned home and was variously engaged until the fall
of 1900, when he entered the Detroit College of Law, from which he was
graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law^s in June, 1903. Mr. Baker
worked his way through college by serving as a stenographer and typewriter
and during his full course of three years missed but one lecture or recitation
and that one he missed in order that he might attend the wedding of his
sister. In the same month in which he was graduated, Mr. Baker was
admitted to the bar and on July 6, following, opened an office at Flint; he
has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession in that city,
with present offices in the Dryden building. Mr. Baker always has been a
Democrat and has given close attention to political affairs in this county.
He was secretary of the Democratic county committee from 1904 to 1908
and in that capacity managed two campaigns for his party. In the spring of
19 1 3 he was elected alderman from the sixth ward, on the Citizens ticket, but
did not complete his term, losing his seat when he moved out of the ward.
During his service in the council he was chairman of the ordinance commit-
tee of that body and introduced and succeeded in having passed a nitmber of

156 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ini]Kirtanl iirdinances, inclucling a cliikl-wclfarc ordinance, a factory-inspec-
tion ordinance and an ordinance for the abatement of the smoke nuisance.

On June 30, 1909, John F. Baker was united in marriage to Nettie
i^dna Stewart, who was born in \'ienna township, this county, July 27,
1887, daughter of \\'alt()n and Rosabelle (Stage) Stewart, both natives of
this count)-, the former of whom died in 1892 at iMansalona, where he was
engaged in lousiness. He w;is the son of George K. Stewart, who is still
living, now making his home in Humboldt county, California, where he has
a fruit farm. ^Nlrs. Baker's maternal grandfather, Milton Stage, and his
wife were early settlers of this county. He was one of the first surveyors
of Genesee county. His wife was a native of Devonshire, England. They
were the parents of four children, Elmer, Mrs. Ella Mann, j\lrs. Stewart and
Mrs. William Humphrey. To Walton Stewart and wife two children were
born. Mrs. Baker having a brother, George M. Stewart. To Mr. and Mrs.
F3aker three children have been born, Francis S., who died in infancy;
Frances Edna and John Walton.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Congregational church. Mr.
Baker is president of the Ecpiitable Fraternal Union; member of Genesee
Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons; Flint Lx)dge No. 222, Benevol-
ent and Protective Order of Elks; a social meml:)er of McKinley Camp No.
8, National League of Veterans and Sons, and he and his wife are members
of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which ]\Ir. Baker was elected worthy
])atron in 1916. For three years Mr. Baker was a member of the Michigan
National Guard and during the last year of that service held the rank of
assistant ciuarter-master sergeant.

FRANK E. JONES.

Frank E. Jones, a well-known and progressive farmer of Clayton town-
ship, proprietor of "Maple Lane Farm," a well-kept place of eighty acres
four miles north of Swartz Creek on the Moorish road, rural route No. 5
out of l-'lint, is a native son of ^Michigan and has lived in this state all his
life. He was born on a farm in Independence township, in the neighboring
county of Oakland. October 13, 1870, son of George and Catherine M.
(Black) Jones, the former a native of the state of New Jersey and the latter
of New York, who later became well-known residents of this county.

George Jones was born on March 12. 1848, and was but a child when
his parents came to Michigan from New Jersey and settled in Oakland

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. IS,y

county, where he grew to manhood and where he married Catherine M.
Black, who was born on March 22, 1848, and who was but a child when her
parents came to Alichigan from New York state and settled in Oakland
county. After his marriage George Jones continued to make his home in
Oakland county until 1878, when he moved with his family to Genesee county
and settled in Flushing township, later moving to Clayton township, where
he is still living. His wife died on January 15, 1907. They were the par-
ents of two children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Lillie, who
married R. S. Budd, of Lansing, this state.

hVank E. Jones was eight years old when his parents moved over into
Genesee county from Oakland county and he grew to manhood in Clayton
township, remaining on the home farm, a valuable assistant to his father
in the development of the same, until his marriage, when twenty-two years
of age. He then began farming for himself, living on a rented farm for
ten years, at the end of which time he bought forty acres of the old Stone
farm, the place on which his wife was born and reared, and there made his
home until he sold that place to advantage and bought the farm of eighty
acres on which he is now living and where he and his family are very pleas-
antly situated. "^laple Lane Farm" is regarded as one of the best-kept
places in that part of the county. Mr. Jones is a Democrat and has held
tlie office of township treasurer.

On October 26, 1892, Frank E. Jones was united in marriage to Hattie
11 -Stone, who was born on a farm in Clayton township, this county, Janu-
ary 7, 1 87 1, daughter of Judson A. and Sarah A. (Ottaway) Stone, the
former of whom was born in Oakland county, this state, and the latter in
Clayton township, this count)^ During the Civil War, Judson A. Stone
enlisted for service in Company B, Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and
served with that command for almost three years. He later married and
settled in Clayton township, this county, where he spent the rest of his life,
an industrious and influential resident of that part of the county. He died in
1890 and his widow is still living. They were the parents of three children,
JNlrs. Jones having a brother, Eugene Stone, of Flint, and a sister, Inez,
who married Fred W. Smith and lives at Flushing. To Mr. and Mrs.
Jones one son has been Iwrn, Lylc \'. Jones, born on June 7, 1895, who
was graduated from the Raker Business University at Flint and is living
at home with liis parents. Frank E. Jones is a member of Swartz Creek
Lodtje Xo. 4=;8, Free and Accepted Masons, of which lodge he is one of the
officers, and both he and hh wife are members of tlie local cliapter of the

GEXESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Order of the l-lastern Star. They both also are members of Flushing
Grange No. 387. and in the affairs of these several organizations take a
warm and active interest, as well as in the general social activities of their
home community.

FRANK PATTERSON.

It is a pleasure to any one to look over a well-improved and finely-
kept place like that of Frank Patterson, of Burton township, Genesee county,
for he believes in keeping abreast of the times, adopting, so far as practi-
cable, the most approved twentieth-century methods in general farming.
He was born in Saginaw county, Michigan, January 2;^, 1856. and is a
son of John and Eliza (Benett) Patterson, lx)th natives of the state of
New- York, where they grew up and were married. They came West in
a very early day and took up land from the government in Brady township,
Saginaw^ county, Michigan. The\- spent the first winter in Flint and in
the spring of 1854 moved U> their land, l)ecoming owners of three hundred
acres, unimproved. ]\lr. Patterson cleared and developed liis land and
built a group o{ farm i)uil(lings on it, but, after a. residence here of a
few years, moved with his family to Chesaning township. Saginaw count) ,
later to Clinton county. He ran a hotel for awhile on the main road through
Chesaning township, Saginaw county. The family lived in Clinton count}-
from the spring of 1863 until the father's death, the mother having died
while the family lived in Saginaw county. To John Patterson and wife
eleven children were born, all of whom grew to maturity, but only four are
living at this writing, iiamel\ : Man-, widow^ of Seth Hinkley, who died
while a soldier in the Civil \\'ar, lives at Lansing, Michigan ; Chauncey lives
in St. Johns, Michigan : Frank, of this -sketch, and Josephine, wife of Mon-
roe Smith, of Port Huron, Michigan.

Frank Patterson grew up on the home farm, where he remained until
he was alx)ut twenty years old. He received his education in the district
schools, and then hired out for a few years in Clinton county on a farm.
After his marriage he lived in Kalkaska county, this state, buying wild land,
which he cleared up and put mtt in crops. After living there seven years, he
removed to Livingston county and lived west of Fenton on a farm for a
period of nine years, after which he returned to Kalkaska county, where he
bought ninety acres. This he cleared and improved, building a home and
ontbuildings and remained there uiitil seven years ago, when he moved to

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I59

his present farm of iine hundred and ten acres, known as the "Maple Grove
farm," in section 4, five and one-half miles southeast of Flint.

Mr. Patterson was married in Farmington, Michigan, on January 8,
1879, to Addie Crawford, a daughter of Myron and Charlotte (Seaton)
Crawford. She was born in Farmington township, Oakland county, Michi-
gan, on the same farm on which her father was born and on which he spent
his entire life, his death occurring in 1898. The place was originally en-
tered from the government b)- Robert Crawford, Mrs. Patterson's grand-
father who removed here from the state of New York in a very early dav
and lived to be ninety-eight years old.

One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, Chauncey B. i^atter-
son, who married Maude France, of Petoskey, has one daughter, June B. ;
they live in Flint, where he follows his trade of machinist. Politically, Mr.
Patterson is a Republican, Init is not especially acti\e in public affairs.

HERBERT HAAS.

The old homestead, with its precious memories, has been a good enough
place to live for Herbert Haas, farmer, of Thelford township, who is a rep-
resentative of an early family of Genesee count)-. He was born on this
farm, March 20, 1879, and is a son of I'rederick and Louisa (Biehl) Haas.
The father was born in Germany and when about four years of age his
parents brought him to Canada, where he grew to manhood. His father.
Frederick Haas, Sr., followed his trade of shoemaker in St. George, Ontario,
for a number of years, spending the rest of his life there, his old age in
the home of his son, Frederick, Jr. Louisa Biehl was born in Gennany,
from which country she was brought to Canada when a small girl, her par-
ents locating in Ontario, and she grew up in the Preston vicinity. .Xft'er
their marriage, Frederick Haas, Jr., and wife remained in that vicinit)- about
a year. He was a cheese-maker by trade. He and his wife moved to
Thelford township, Genesee county, Michigan, buying eighty acres of wild
land, where Herbert now lives. This they cleared and began life in t)pical
pioneer fashion, erecting a log house in which they lived for some time.
They remained on this farm until 1899 when they rented the place out and
moved to Clio, buying a small place there. He has lived in retirement during
the past six years. To these parents ten children, six of whom are still
living, have been born, named as follows: Herbert, of this sketch; Flora
is the wife of George Phillips, of Flint: Frank is in the transfer business

l6o GENESEE COUNTY. .MICHIGAN.

in Los Angeles, California; Mabel is the wife of Ralph M. Gillett, of Clio;
Clara is the wife of Charles Sturdevant. of Clio; Estella is the wife of Ray
Ford, of Clio.

Herbert Haas grew up on the farm where he worked liard when a
boy, as did all sons of pioneers, and he receixed hi.s education in the district
schools. He remained at home until he was eighteen years old, then started
out for himself. On ]\Iarch 13, 1901, he married Nettie Cummings, young-
est daughter of Orlando Cummings, a prominent farmer of Goodrich, Gene-
see county. After his marriage he took up farming on the home place in
the spring of 1901, and Iwught the place and has continued to live here ever
since. He has kept it well improved and well culti\ated.

Politically, Mr. Haas is a Republican. He was overseer of his town-
ship in 19 1 3, since which year he was served as highway commissioner,
filling both oifices very successfully. He is a member of N'ienna Lodge No.
205, Free and .'Xccepted Masons, at Clio.

COL. JAMES S. I^ARKFR.

Col. James S. Parker, fonner commander of the Third Regiment, Mich-
igan National Guard, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, former
prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, former city attorney of Flint and
former circuit court commissioner, one of the best-known lawyers in this
part of the state, member of the law firm of Lee & Parker, with offices in
the McDermott block at Mint, is a nati\e son of Michigan and has lived in
this state all his life. He was born on a farm near the village of Corunna,
in the neighboring county of Shiawasee, January 15, 1872. His parents.
Hugh and Janet ( b'leming) Parker, the former a native of this state and
the latter of Pennsylvania, are both now deceased. They were the parents
of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, tlie others
l)eing as follow: Anna M., wife of John Peddlar, of West Terre Haute,
Indiana; Ada M., unmarried, of Owosso, this state; Dr. Walter T. Parker.
of Corunna, and Edna M.. wife of Warner Stoddard, also of Corunna.

Hugh Parker was born on a ]iioneer farm in the neighborhood of
Orchard Lake, Oakland county. He was tlie son of Thomas and Anna
( Neilson) Parker, natives of Scotland and early settlers in that part of
Michigan, who were the parents of seven children, of whom Hugh was the
third in order of birth, the others being. John, of Livingston county, this

COL. JAMES S. PARKER.

GEXESEF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN. l6l

state; Mrs. J\Iarion Thomp.son, of Ouosso; William, of Corunna; Mrs.
Anna Salmon, of Owosso; Thomas, deceased, and Alexander, living near
Owosso. The elder Thomas Parker and his wife emigrated from Scotland
to Canada and settled near Chatham, whence they presently moved to Mich-
igan, settling in the vicinit\- of Orchard Lake in Oakland county; they
mo\ed thence, after awhile, to Shiawassee county, spending their last days
on a farm in the \icinity of Corunna, grandfather Parker being eighty years
of age at the time of his death and his wife, seventy. Hugh Parker was
fifteen years old when his ]iarents moxed to Shiawassee county and he spent
the rest of his life there, becoming a well-to-do and influential farmer of
the Corunna neighborhood, the owner of a fine fann of two hundred and
twent}- acres, where he died on June 14, 1915, at the age of seventy-five
years. His wife had preceded him to the grave the year before, she having
been seventy-four years of age at the time of her death, in 1914. She was
a daughter of Thomas Fleming and wife, the latter of whom was a Ewing,
natives of Scotland, who settled in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, upon
coming to this country, and spent the rest of their lives there. Thomas
Fleming and wife were the parents of five children. David, Thomas, James,
Janet and Margaret. Mrs. Parker was reared in the faith of the Christian
church (Disciples), but later in life attended the Methodist church, of which
her husband was a member, and their children were reared in that faith.

James S. Parker was reared on the patemal farm near Corunna and
three grew to manhood. Fie obtained his elementary education in the dis-
trict schools and the ("orunna high school, supplementing the same by a
course in Hillsdale C^ollege, from which he was graduated in 1892, after
which he entered upon the study of the law in the office in which he is now
practicing at Flint. He was admitted to the bar on August 11, 1894, and
on January i, 1899, entered into partnership with Edward S. Lee, which
mutually agreeable arrangement continues. Colonel Parker is a Republican
and has ever given his earnest attention to local political aftairs. He served
two terms as city attorney of Flint; was circuit court commissioner, 1896-
1900, and prosecuting attorney, 1909-12. In February, 1894, he enlisted as
a private in Company A, Third Regiment, Michigan National Guard, and
from the very beginning of that sen-ice took such an active interest in militia
affairs that he gradually rose from the ranks to the head of the regiment,
being mustered out as colonel of the Third Michigan on Februaiy 22, 1909.
L'pon the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, Colonel Parker was mus-
tered, April .?6, 1898. as fi'-st lieutenant of Company A, Thirty-third Reg-'-
(iia)

l()2 GKNKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

nient, Michigan \'oinnteer Infantr\-, and was in command of tliat company
during the campaign before Santiago.

On Septemljer 9, i8g6, Jame.< S. Parker was united in marriage to
Myrtle A. Young, who was born at C'orunna. in the neigliljoring county of
Shiawas.see, March 11, 1872, daughter of Charles B. Young and wife.
natives of this state, who are still living on their farm near Corunna and
among the best known and influential citizens of that county. They are
the parents of three children, Mrs. Parker having a brother, Claude E. Young,
of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, a mechanical engineer (University of Mich-
igan), and a sister, Lulu, wife of Sidney \\\ Shipman, living near Corunna.
Mrs. Parker is a graduate of the Corunna high school, class of iSgo, and
after her graduation was engaged in teaching school until her marriage.
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a member of the
Order of the Eastern Star, in the affairs of which she takes an active interest.

To Colonel and Mrs. Parker five children have been born, Allan Lee,
Hugh Neilson, Harold Earl, Madeline Louise and James Eleming. Colonel
Parker is a thirty-second-degree Mason, affiliated with the consistory of the
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Detroit, and is a noble of Moslem Tem-
ple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in tliat city. He
is a past master of Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons, at
Flint; a member of Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Ma.sons; Flint
Council, Royal and Select ]\'Iasters, and Genesee \'alley Commandery Xo.
15, Knights Templar. He also is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, in the affairs of ail of which organizations he takes a warm
interest.

SAMUEL MORTON BACON.

The farmer has a much better ciiance to olxserve and enjoy art as it is
found in nature, anil, therefore, ought to l)e a man of high ideals. Samuel
Morton Bacon, of Montrose township, Genesee county, has been content to
spend his life amid rural scenes and he has lieen a close observer of the up-
lifting things about him. He is not only a .successful agriculturist, but a
good citizen in the fullest sense of the term.

Mr. Bacon was born in Hastings county, Ontario, Canada, Septemlier
20, 1876, and is a sdii of Joseph John and Mary .\nn (Morton ) Bacon. The

GENESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN. I63

father was born in the same locahty as was the subject of this sketch, the
date of his birth being August 29, 1853. His wife was born in SterHng,
province of Ontario, February 11, 1856. They grew up in their native
country, attended school and were married there in 1871. Joseph J. Bacon
remained in Canada until he was about twenty-five years old, and after living
on a farm of his uncle near Dresden, Ontario, for one year, he came to
Saginaw, Michigan, in 1881, and worked in a mill three months, then came
on to Genesee county, where he bought forty acres, in section 2, Flushing"
township. The land was timbered, but he cleared it, and after a road was
surveyed he found that about one-half of his place was in the road. How-
ever, he continued to live there about eight years, tlien traded his place for
ninety-three acres in section 2. Later he bought back his first farm, on which
he lived for fifteen }-ears, then sold it to his son, Samuel M., and lx)ught a
farm in JNlr. ^Morris township, which he operated a number of years. Then
he retired and moved to the village of Clio, where he spent the rest of his
life, dying on I'^ebruary 25, 1916, at the age of sixty-three years.
Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged to the Gleaners and the Loyal
Guards, also to the Methodist Episcopal church. His family consisted of
eight children, namely: Samuel M., of this sketch; William J. lives in
Montrose township; Mark E. lives in Flushing township; Belle, twin of
Mark E., is deceased; Charles H. lives in Flint; Nettie is the wife of William
Stout and they live in Clio ; Archie L. lives on the old homestead ; and Win-
nie is deceased. The mother of these children is still living at the family
residence in Clio.

Samuel M. Bacon grew up on the home farm and received his educa-
tion in the district schools. Remaining with his parents until he reached
liis majorit}-, he began farming for himself, buying the farm on which he
now lives. It was all timbered. He began with very little capital, but with
resolution and ambition began clearing his land and in due course of time
developed a good farm, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva-
tion and improxement. He subsequently Iiought forty acres of woodland
adjoining, cleared that and put it under cultiA'ation ; finally Iiought one hun-
dred and si.xty acres, partly cleared, in section 36. He also bought the fortv
acres which his father first settled here and one hundred and sevent\-three
acres adjoining. He also bought forty acres in section 2, Flushing townshii).
and is now owner of five hundred and thirty-three acres, four hundred and
twenty of which are under cultivation. He carries on general farming and
stock raising on an extensive scale and by modern methods. He makes a
specialty of raising potatoes, averaging three hundred bushels to the acre,

164 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

but he lias produced as high as eight hundred bushels per acre. He always
keeps a good grade of live stock of all kinds. Most of his land has been
tiled, he having laid about thirteen miles of tiling. lie farms with tractors
and other kinds of twentieth centur)- machinery and owns an automobile
of one of the best makes. He has a commodious home, with up-to-date
furnishings and fixtures, two large, substantial barns, two new silos, a
granary with a capacity of five thousand bushels, a potato cellar with a
capacity of four thousand bushels, an engine house and an engine to operate
his machinery for many purposes about the place. Most of his outbuildings
have cement floors. He keeps a well-stocked trout pond. He is deserving
of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished unaided and through
his own industry and good judgment. He is one of the most progressive
and successful farmers of Genesee county.

Air. Bacon was married on February 15, 1902, to Erma L. Ramsey,
w ho was born in Flushing township, Genesee county, and here she was reared
and educated. She is a daughter of Frank Jefferson Ramsey and Jennie
(Pratt) Ramsey, who live on a farm in Flushing township. Three children
have been born to ;\Ir. and Mrs. Bacon, namely: Hazel Isabelle, born,
]\Iarch 6, 1903: Glen Ward, born .\pril 14, 1905. and Effie Mav, born
September 30, 1907.

Politically, Mr. Bacon is a Republican, but rather inclined to vote inde-
])endently. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, at Flint ; the Masonic order. Orange Lodge No. 352,
at Montrose, and is master of the latter.

\\"ARREX T. HLXKLEY.

Warren J. Hinkley, a prominent farmer and stockman of Genesee
county, was born in Flushing township on November 19, 1870, being the
son of John and Althea Elizabeth (French) Hinkley.

John Hinkley was liurn cm November 8. 1835, at North Hector,
Schuyler count}-, New York, where he lived until he was ten years of age.
In 1845 he came with his parents, Jeremiah C. and Phoebe Ann (Bond)
Hinkley, to Michigan. Jeremiah C. Hinkley was born on November 4, 1801.
and was married to Phoebe Ann Bond on December 27, 1825. Mrs. Hink-
ley was torn on September 22. 1808. To this union were born the follow-
ing children: ^lary Ann. liorn on January 30, 1S27: IMargaret M. and

GEXHSEli COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I65

Mary Ann, twins, born on jNlarch i, 1829; Olive, born on April 7, 1831 ;
Caroline, born on September 10, 1833; John K., born on November 8,
1835; Jeremiah, born on Januar\' 31, 1839; Helen Ann, born on June 11,
1841 ; Joseph D., born on July 6, 1843; Eliza W., torn on August 7, 1845,
and Charles F., born on August 31, 1852. The children are all dead but
Helen Hinkley Bowman, of Flushing.

When Jeremiah C. Hinkley came to Michigan he located in I'lushing
township, where he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land in
sections 25 and 36. It was here that he made his home, until his death on
September 7, 1853. His wife survived him until September 16, 1858.

John Hinkley was united in marriage on February 14, 1864, to Althea
Elizabeth French, who was born on November 16, 1840. To this union
were born the following children: Freddie, who was born on i\Iarch 16,
1865, and died on September 3, 1868; Bertha P., lx)rn on January 17,
1869, became the wife of Elmer Barnhart, on November 21, 1885; Warren
J., born November 19, 1870; Myrtle M., born on July 21, 1878, became the
wife of Merton D. Phelps, of Flushing, on March 20, 1901 ; Lula M., born
on June 24, 1880, became the wife of Louis E. Hike on February 17, 1903;
Mina A., born on July 21, 1883, married Fred J. Hull on July 4, 1905.
Althea French Hinkley, the mother, died on the farm, March 29, 1908.

John Hinkley, on the death of his father, Jeremiah Hinkley, operated
the home farm for some years, and then he purchased of the heirs one hun-
dred and twenty acres in section 25, where he lived until his death, on Sep-
tember I, 1911.

Warren J. Hinkley received his education at the high school at Flush-
ing. After completing his education he remained on the home farm until
his marriage on November 19, 1889, to All>erta A. Jeffers, who was born
in Flushing on July 17, 1872, she being the daughter of George and Elvira
E. (Leland) Jeffers. After their marriage, Warren and Alberta Hinkley
located in Montrose township, where they purchased forty acres of land
and made their home seven years. They then sold the place and came to
Flushing, where they lived for six years. .\t the death of the mother Warren
Hinklev returned to the old homestead, and purchased one hundred and
twenty acres, which he has since made his home. Flere he is interested in
general farming and stock raising. For a time he conducted a dairy and
drove a milk wagon to Flushing. He now has some fine Shorthorn and
Durham cattle as well as sonre full-Iih^od Poland China hogs.

^Tr. Hinklev has a most excellent farm under a high state of cultiva-

l66 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

tion, with modern and well-kept buildings. The Jjarn, thii-t)-si.\ by one
hundred feet, was built ni 1915. Air. and Airs, liinkley have a most pleas-
ant home and are the parents of two children, Gretchen, born on August 15,
i89i,.and Waynard J., who was born on February 16, 1906. Gretchen is a
graduate of the Flushing high school and the Chicago School of Music.

George Jefifers, the father of Alberta Hinkley, was born in Burton town-
ship on August 20, 1841. being the son of Daniel and Jane (Taylor) Jeffers,
lx)th of whom were natives of England. After their marriage in the state
of New York, they settled in Burton township, where they resided for a
few years, and then returned to New York state and lived at Niagara Falls
for three years. They then returned to Burton township where they lived
until their death. Elvira Leland Jeffers was born in Rose township, Oak-
land county, on February 13, 1838. She and George Jeffers were the parents
of one child, Alberta, the wife of Warren J. Hinkley. Airs. Jeft'ers died
on b'eliruary 20, 1902. Air. Jeffers. who was a soldier of the Civil War,
having served in Company I". Thirteenth Regiment, Alichigan \'olunteer
Infantry, is now making his home with Warren J. Hinkley and wife.

Warren J. Hinkley belongs to the R/Iodern Woodmen and Knights of
I'xthias and is a F"ree and Accepted Alason, having attained the Royal
Arch degree. Politically, he is a Republican and has served as assessor of
the village and as superintendent of road building. He is a man of excel-
lent judgment and is held in high esteem by those who know him.

J. AI. A' AN BUS KIRK.

T. AI. \'an Buskirlc, a prominent farmer of Richfield township, whose
ple:isant home is known as "Maple Hurst," was born on January 18, 1857. in
Richfield townshii). heing the son of Abraham and Esther (Dickinson) A'an
Buskirk.

.Abraham Van Buskirk was horn in Genesee county. Xew York, where
he received his education. His parents died when he was but a boy and he
went to St. Louis, Missouri, to live with his hrother-in-law. As a young
man, living on the bank of the Mississippi river, he engaged in operating a
ferrv boat. He later visited his brother, John A'an Bu.skirk. in Richfield
township, and, becouiing impressed with the timbered country, he bought
one hundred acres in section 18 and just across the road from his brother's
home. Here he located and remained until bis death in 1004. He had cleared

gi:ni:see coi'nty, Michigan. 167

and improved, liis farm until he had one of the hest in the community. He
was an unassuming- and loyal citizen of the township. During the Civil War
he enlisted and served during the greater part of that conflict in Company K,
Twenty-third Regiment, JMichigan Volunteer Infantry.

To Abraham and Esther Van Buskirk were born the following children :
Delas. J. M., Alary and Phidelia. Delas is living with J. M. ; Mary is the
wife of \Vilbur Van Dyke, of Columbiaville, Michigan, and Phidelia died at
the age of eight >ears. In 1861 Esther Van Buskirk died when the son, T-
M., was jjut four years of age. In the fall of 1862 Abraham Van Buskirk
was married to Jane Caverin, a native of the state of New York, and to this
union were born three children: Joel A., of Detroit; Charlotte, the wife of
\A'illiam Ellis, of Genesee township, and Charles, of Richfield township.

J. AT. Van Buskirk received his education in the district schools of Rich-
field township and remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-one
years of age. On November 21, 1878, he was united in marriage to Chloe
Meniger. the daughter of William Meniger and wife, who were pioneer set-
tlers of Genesee county, having come from the state of New York in 1842.
The young married couple located on one hundred and sixty acres of wooded
land in section 28 and began to make for themselves a home. It was here
that the young wife died in 1847. Some years later Mr. Meniger married
Lucy Troop, the daughter of William Troop and wife, and to this union were
born three children: Chloe, the wife of J. M. \^in Bu.skirk; Alfonso, who is
in New York City, and Alary, who is the wife of V. H. Booth, of Elba,
Lapeer coimty.

After their marriage, J. AI. and Chloe Van Buskirk located on the farm
where they now reside, although they have not lived here all the time. At
first Air. Van Buskirk rented two hundred and thirty acres for four years,
after which he purchased one hundred acres in sections 28 and 29 in Ricli-
field township. This he farmed in connection with the one hundred and
seventy acres of W. M. Meniger and one hundred acres of Alfonso Meinger.
He remained here for ten years, after which he sold and moved to section
20, where he owned forty acres as well as eighty in section 29. After ten
months he sold die forty and moved back to section 19, where he rented for
five years, after which he purchased the west sixty acres of the place and
fifteen acres in section 28. He later purchased sixty acres of the old home-
stead where he now resides and where he has a well improved and highly
cultivated farm of one hundred and twenty acres.

To J. M. and Chloe Van Buskirk was born one child, Arthur A., who
was born on January- 6, 1802. and died on February 18. 1899.

l68 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Politically, Air. A'an Ruskirk is a Re])ul)lican and has served his town-
ship as treasurer and as a member of the board of review. He is agent for
the Genesee County Fanners Mutual Fire Insurance Company as well as tlie
Micliigan Mutual Tornado and Cyclone Insurance Company. He is a director
of the Davison State Bank and often acts as admini.strator of estates.

For the past fourteen }ears, Mattie Van Dyke, a niece of Mr. Van Bus-
kirk, has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Wan Bu.skirk, her mother. ]\Iarv
\'an Dyke. Ijeing deceased. She has always had the same kind attention as
though she was their own. and since they lost their only child she seems very
near and dear to them.

GEORGE !•:. AIcKINLEY.

George V.. McKinle_\-, former alderman and mayor of Mint, for years
district organizer for the American Federation of Labor, former state fac-
torv- inspector and the present superintendent of the Michigan state free
employment bureau, is a nati\e of Flint and has lived there practically all his
life. He was born on August 12. 1871, son of James and Margaret (White)
McKinley, natives of County Armagh, Ireland, whose last days were spent
in Flint and who were the parents of nine children, namely: Alexander,
who died in 1876: \\'illiam. of Detroit: lames, of Mint: George F... the
.'subject of this biographical sketch;; Jennie, wife of A. E. Gladwin, of
Boston, Massachusetts; Fannie, wife of Charles ]\Iaddern, of Evart. this
state; Mary, wife of "\\'illiani Wilson, also of Evart; Margaret, wife of
M3'ron D. Smith, also of F.vart. antl Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife
of Charles Hovey.

James McKinley was reared in Ireland and, after coming to America.
married Margaret AVhite. daughter of George and Margaret ^^'hite. the
fomier of whom died in Ireland, after wliich his widow joined her daughter
in this countr\- and ,>pent her last days in her home. After marriage, James
McKinley and his wife for a sliort time were located at Kahway, Xew Jer-
•ie\-. mo\ing thence to Detroit, where Air. McKinley was for ;i number of
years engaged in railroad work. In the early sixties he and bis family came
to this coimty and located at Flint, where Mr. AIcKinley continued railroad
work and where he also worked in the foundries, and there he spent his last
days, living to be seventy-six years of age. His widow survived him until
August 3, 1893, having married for her second husband Thomas Cochran,

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 169

and slie was eigl'it}--si\- years of age at the time of her deatli. Mr. Cochran
siirxived her until 191 2. Slie was a niemljer of the Episcopal church and
JMr. Cochran of the Alethodist h'piscopal. Their children were reared in
the l'".piscopal faith.

George E. McKinley's schooling was obtained in the public schools at
Flint and he early began making his own way, his first employment having
been as a "cash boy" in the dry-goods store of F. H. & E. O. Pierce. He
later learned cigar making and presently estalilished a cigar factory in Flint,
which he operated for about ten years, at the end of which time, his health
failing, he spent a year and a half at Evart, returning thence to Flint in
1911", in which year lie opened another cigar factory. F"or years Mr. McKin-
ley has taken an active and a prominent part in the affairs of organized labor,
not only in Flint, but throughout the state, and for three years served as
district organizer for the .\merican Federation of Labor. He also for years
has taken an active part in local political affairs and in 1900 was elected
alderman from his ward. ser\ing in that cai^acity until his election, in 1906.
to the ofifice of mayor of the city, as the nominee of the Democratic party.
So well did he perform his ailministrative duties that he was re-elected and
ser^■ed two terms as ma\or. I'nder the administration of Governor Ferris
he was ap])ointed state factory inspector and in 1914, upon the creation of
the state free employment buieau, he was appointed superintendent of that
important bureau for this section, with offices in the city building at Flint,
and is now thus engaged. In 1912 Mr. McKinley was the candidate of
the Democratic party for a seat in the lower house of the Michigan General
.\ssembly. but was unable to oxercome the strong Republican majority in
his district.

On November 26, 1891. George E. McKinley was united in marriage
to Ellen H. Lane, who was born at Auburn, this state, but w-as reared in
Detroit. Mrs. McKinley has a twin sister, Mary, they l>eing the daughters
of Henry and Ellen (O'Brien) Lane. Henry Lane is a native of Germany
and his wife was born in Ireland. They were married in Pennsylvania and
afterward came to Michigan. Mrs. Lane died in Detroit in 1892 and Mr.
Lane is now making his home with his daughter at Flint. ^Irs. McKinlev
is a member of the Catholic church and INIr. McKinley is a member of St.
Paul's F.piscopal cluuxh. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight of I'ythias,
an I^Ik and an F.agle and in the afi'airs of these several organizations takes
a warm interest. Mr. ^IcKinley still retains his interest in his cigar factory
and is recognized as one of Flint's actixe business men.

170 GEXIiSllE COL'Xl'i', .\IlCHlt;.\X.

F.\'KRETT IJ"\\IS r.R \^■.

As a !a\v\iT, i'Aeretl Lewis I'.ray !ias fur many years stood at the front
in tile ranks o! his profession at the tienesee county bar, his career being
ndteil for strength, fidehty and honor. Tlie relations between him and his
chents are ever loyal and genuine, lie is ni^ted for his thorough knowledge
of the law, not only of its great underlxing principles, but also for its niceties
and its exacting details, and for his faculty of clearly presenting to court
and jury the law and facts of the case under consideration.

Mr. Bray, who is a member of the law lirm of Carton, Bray & Stewart,
of Flint, was born in Genesee township, this countw May 18. 1864: He is a
son of Alexander and Berth.a (Seeley) Bray. When but a lad Alexander
Bray came to Genesee county from Springtield, Ohio, with his mother, his
father having died in that cit}-. The mother settled on a farm in Genesee
township, where the son grew to manhood and there he engaged in farming
and the live-stock business for many 3'ears. He shipped the first carload of
stock from Chicago to the Saginaw valley. In fact, he made the live stock
business his principal life work. Fie and his brother, Benjamin, at one time
owned over five hundred acres of good land, which they finally divided, late
in the seventies, Alexander retaining as his last piece of land one hundred
acres, which he sold atout 1885. His wife died in 1878 when about forty-
eight years of age. In 1885 he moved to Mt. Morris. During the panic of
1878 he met with reverses, some of his customers failing him for about
twentv thousand dollars. However, one hundred acres of his land was saved
and put in his wife's name. His family consisted of four children, namely:
Irving S., deceased; Lucia G., who married Charles Montague, died in the
early nineties; Everett L. of this sketch, and Archie A., of Mt. Morris. The
father of these children is still living, now about eighty years of age, making
his home in Mt. Morris. His mother, Marilla Chittenden, was a great-grand-
daughter of Thomas Chittenden, the first governor of Vermont, of which
state both parents of Alexander Bray were natives. The father was a physi-
cian and surgeon and for two years practiced in the City of Mexico. After-
ward he settled in Springfield. Ohio, where he was residing during the great
cholera epidemic that swept the country in the early days, during which all
the doctors, but four, left Springfield, he being one of the number that
remained, but he contracted the disease and died there. Soon thereafter his
widow moved to Genesee county, Michigan, locating on a farm near her
brother. Nelson I hittenden, who induced her to come here. Slie lived to an

GKNKSCK COUXTV, iI]CII]GAN. I7I

advanced age. She had been twice married, first to a Air. Mitchell, hv whom
.she had one son, Ossian, long since deceased. Three children were horn of
her second marriage, Alexander, Benjamin and Caroline.

It is believed that the founder of the Bra}- family in America li\ed in
Maine and was a descendant of Sir Thomas Bray, an luiglish divine.

Daniel Hawley Seeley, the matemal grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was a nati\e of Connecticut, where his wife, Julia, was also born.
They came to Michigan from the state of New York and settled in Flint,
Genesee county, in a very early day, there being at the time only nine families
and seven houses in this place. Mr. Seeley was a tailor, using the earnings
from this trade to develop the land in Genesee township, which he took up
from the government. He finally moved onto his farm and cleiired and
improved three hundred and twenty acres, which under his able management
became one of the finest farms in the county, and he took the prize on it
several years. Here he and his wife s[)ent their last days, his death occurring
at the age of eighty- four and hers at about eight}-. They were parents of
five children, Marvin L., b'rank, Theron, Bertha J- and Frances,

Everett L. Bray was reared on the home farm, on which he remained
until he was twenty-one years of age. He attended the district schools and
was graduated from the Flint high school in 1885; then he studied law in
the office of Judge Oscar .Adams in Cheboygan and later with EHirand &
(/arton in Flint. He was admitted to the bar on August 17, 1887. After
.s])ending a few years in search of a proper location, he returned to Flint in
1891 and formed a partnership with John M. Russell, at that time prosecuting
attorney of Genesee county, Mr. Bray becoming assistant in this office. This
partnership lasted until in 1893, after which Mr. Bray practiced his profession
alone for a period of ten years. Upon the death of Judge Durand he formed
a partnership with John J. Carton, mider the finn name of Carton & Bray,
which existed for some years, when they took William C. Stewart into the
firm, which has since been Carton, Bray & Stewart, one of the best known
and most successful in the city of Flint.

Mr. Bray was married on January 8. iqoj, to Viola E. Swart, a daughter
of Menzo and Sallie (Wiggins) Swart. She was born in P'lu.shing, Genesee
county, March 5, 1873. Fler parents were natives of New York state and
lx>th are now deceased. Three children were born to them, \'iola 1'".., wife
of Air. Bra}-; .\rzie, who died when about fourteen years of age, ;uid Jennie,
who died in earlv childhood. Mr. Swart engaged in hnnbering for a num-
ber of vears in his earlier career; then for many years was trespass
ao-ent for the state land office and devoted the last few vears of his active

1^2 GKNESEE COUNTV, MICHIGAN.

life t<i tanning. He .^erved in tlie Civil War in the Si.xteenth i^licliigan
\ oliinteer Infantry. He \va.- a gallant soldier and for his abilit}' and hraxery
was commissioned a first lieutenant, being for a time acting captain of his
company.

To Mr. anil Airs. l)rav one child, a daughter, Bertha Beatrice Bray, has
l)een horn. .Mrs. Bray is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church.

Air. Brav is a stockholder in the (ienera! Alotors Company, the Chevrolet
Company, the Copeman Electric Sto\e AVorks and the Genesee County Sav-
ings Bank. He is independent in politics and, fraternally, l^elongs to Genesee
Eodge No. 174, Free and Acce])ted Masons, and Flint Lodge No. 222,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

The first meeting of the board of supervisors after its organization and
the first term of the circitit court in Genesee count>- after the organization of
the state were held in a building owned by Air. Bray's grandfather, Daniel H.
Seeley, in Flint.

A-TCTOR E. GEORGE.

A farmer, when he has raised his crop, has perfonned only half his duty;
the other half is selling, which determines his profit for the year's work. It
is just as important for the agricultural producer to know what the markets
are a^; it is for the merchant or manufacturer. A'ictor E. George, a farmer
of Alundv township, Genesee county, not only knows how to raise various
cro))s, but how liest to market them.

Air. George was lx»rn in the above named township and county, one-half
mile west of where he now lives, Decemljer 18, 1853. He is a son of Eugene
and Harriet ( Genson) George. The father was a native of Switzerland and
was a .son of George George, who was a soldier under Napoleon. The
mother of the subject' was a native of the state of New York. Eugene
George spent his boyhood in Switzerland, where he attended school, immi-
grating to the United States when twenty years of age. He located in CTreene
county. Michigan, where he entered land from the government, which he
developed into a good farm and on which he spent the rest of his life, having,
through his industr\- and good management, accumulated two hundred acres.
His parents c;mie to this country with him. He was married in Genesee
counlx-, where his wife had been teaching school. To their union two sons
and two daughters were born, one of whom is deceased, namely: X'ictor is
the eldest: Celina, who is the widow of L. T. Curtis, lives in Alundy town-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

173

ship, Genesee county: Florence is the wife of Georg-e Cogoins and tliey live
in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

^■icto^ George was reared on the home farm and recei\'ed a public school
education, also attended the Flint higii school. He continued to work on the
home place, receiving a share of the crops, until he was thirt\- vears of age.
He owns two hundred and eighty acres of well improved and producti\-e land,
known as the "Pleasant View Farm." situated five miles south of Flint on
the Fenton road. He carried on general farming and stock raising on an
extensive scale until recently, when he retired from active labor and is now
living at No. 612 West Court street, Flint. He made all his property him-
self and is verj' comfortably fixed in every respect.

Mr. George was married on May 3, 1882, to Margaret Delaney, of
Gaines township, Genesee county. .She was born in the town of Grand Blanc,
this state, and reared in Gaines township, receiving a good public school edu-
cation. She is a daughter of Michael Delaney, who was born in Ireland.
Three children have been born to Mr. and ]\Irs. George, namely: Ernest,
who was graduated from the Flint high school, spent one year in Sandwich
College, and is now a student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor;
Victor L., who was graduated from the Flint high school, later attended the
State Agricultural College: Celina, who is a .graduate of Adrian College
Sisters Home, is the wife of D. E. Sweeney, of Detroit.

Mr. George is a Democrat and has held minor local offices. He was
reared a Catholic and he and his family are members of St. Matthews church.

RANDOLPH H. RANSOM.

Randolph PL Ransom, a successful farmer of jNlt. Alorris township, was
born in Flushing township on October 25, 1870, being the son of Robert
William and Roda (French) Ransom. Robert William Ransom was born
on a farm three miles southwest of Flushing on July 24, 1848, and lived here
until his marriage to Roda French on December 24, 1867. Pie then purchased
a farm three miles northwest of Mushing, and it was here that Randolph H.
was born. The family lived here until 1886, when the place was sold, after
which Mr. Ransom bought a farm two miks southeast of Flushing, in section
36. In 19 10 he moved to the town of Flushing, where he still resides.

Roda (French) Ransom Avas born in Flushing township on June 6, 1846,
and here grew to manhood and was educated in the schools of the township.

1/4 GENESEE COfNTY, -MICHIGAN.

She \\a^ tile daughter of Henry i-'rench and wife, whose history will Ije
luund in the sketch tif Bert l'"rench. -Mrs. Kaiisuni died on Xoveniber 12,
lyij. To her and Robert W. Ransom were born fotir children: Randolph
H. ; Elvia, the wife of William J-ewis. of i'lint ; Susie, who died on ^larch
I J, 1902, and Mark.

Robert Ransom, the paternal grandfather of Randolph H. Ransom,
was a native of the eastern part of the United States and came to Genesee
count}' in an early day. He settled on a farm in Genesee township and here
made his home until his death.

Randolph H. Ransom was educated and grew to manhood in Flushing
township. He lived at home and assisted his father on the farm until his
marriage to Tessie Small, who was b<^rn in Mint on June 3, 1870, she being
the daughter of Mathew and -Mary ( Frawley ) Small. -Vfter his marriage
on July 3, 1901. -Mr. Ransom rented the rha}er farm, southeast of Flush-
ing, for two }ears, after which he rented the .M. R. Freeman farm, of three
hinidred and ten acres. In 1909 he purchased eighty-four acres on section
^2, where he now li\es. He did not take up his residence on the farm
until 1912. In 1915 he bought an adjoining thirty-tw-o acres. Here he
does general farming and stock raising, keeps a large number of hogs and
has some fine Durham cattle. He is also interested in horses and has some
fine draft horses as well as some good drivers.

Politically, Air. Ransom is a Republican and takes much interest in
local politics, having served for four years on the school board. Fraternally,
he is a Free and -\ccepted Mason and belongs to the lodge at Flushing.

Tessie ( Small ) Ransom was born and educated in Flint and for some
years before her marriage lived in Boston, Massachusetts, with an uncle,
who was a ])hysician. \Vhile there she attended school and finished a course
in nursing. She remained in Boston until 1899, when she returned to Michi-
gan and was here married. To Randolph PL and Tessie Ransom have been
born the follow-ing children: Rausler, who was Ijorn on October 24, 1903.
and died on May 5, 1904: Isabelle. l)orn on June 16, 1905. and \\'illard.
born on .\ugust 28, 1906.

Mathew and Mary Small, the parents of Tessie (Small) Ixan.som, were
natives of Scotland and Ireland, respectively. Mary Frawley Small was
the daughter of James and ?klargaret Frawlex'. natix'es of Ireland, who came
to the United States when Mary was eleven years of age. They settled in
Flushing townshiji ,'ind here became jirosperous farmers. Here they made
their home imtil their death some vears later. Marv was later married to

GKNF.SEE COUN'IV, MICHIGAN.

^/O

Alathevv Small. After their marriage they located in Flint, where the>- died
man}- years later. To Alathew and Mary Small were born the following
children: >\'illiani, wIkj lives in the West; Tessie : Julia, the wife of |ohn
T. Ackerman. ui Mint: Catherine, the wife of Guy X'ickerv. of Mint, and
fohn Henrv, of Flint.

JOHN CHASE.

John Chase, a well-known and substantial retired farmer of Gaines town-
ship, this county, and former treasurer of that township, now living in the
village of Gaines, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all Isis
life. He was born on a farm in Argentine township. June i6, 1874, son of
(ieorge W. and Sarali T. (Parker) Chase, the former of whom was born in
Rochester, New York, and the latter at Sparta, this state. For years they
were prominent and influential residents of .Vrgentine township and the l.itter
is still living on the old homestead there at a npe old age.

George W. Chase was but a boy of sixteen years when he came to this
state with his parents, the family settling in .\rgentine township, this county,
among the early settlers of that locality. There George W. Chase grew to
manhood and married Sarah T. Parker, who was but two years of age when
her parents settled in Genesee county, where she grew to womanhood. After
his marriage Mr. Chase established his home on a farm in his home town-
ship and there he spent the remainder of his life, a useful meml^er of that
community. He died on October 12. 1914. ;nid his widow is still living on
the old home place. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom
are still li\'ing, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow : l<"rank
H., a traveling salesman, who lives at Grand Kajiids; Belle, widow of John
D. Collins, of Argentine township, this county: George \\'., cashier of the
Citizens Bank of Gaines and clerk of (jaines township; Robert, who con-
tinues to live on the old homestead in Argentine township, and Otto R.. who
is connected with the Grand Trunk Railroad at Detroit.

John Chase was reared on the home farm in Argentine township, receiv-
ing bis schooling in the district school in the neighlxjrhood of his home and
remained at home until he was t\vent\--one years of age. after which for sev-
eral \-e,'irs he was employed elsewhere. He then returned to the old home
and for e!e\en years managed and operated the home place. In the mean-
time he had married and ti\e years after bis marriage bought a farm oi

176 GENESEF. rOUNTV. MICHIGAN.

ninety-eigiit acres in section _:;o of (iaine> townslii]). wiiere lie established lii,-
honie and where he li\ed nntd March. ii)i(i, when he retired from the actix'e
labors of the farm and he and hi> faniil}- moxed to the village of Gaines,
where the}- are now li\ing- and where the_\- are \ery i)leasantly situated. For
some time Mr. Chase has been engaged in the drainage contracting business
and has done much in that line to improve the drainage of that part of the
county. He is a Democrat and for Aears has given close attention to the
political alfairs of Iiis county. ha\ing ser\ed for some time as treasurer ot
Argentine township.

On November 27,. 1904, John Chase was united in marriage t'l .Minnie
Groom, of Linden, this county, who ^vas born there on April 27, 1S78, and
who was graduated from the liigh school there. To this union one child has
been l>orn, a daughter, Sarah 11., horn on September 30, 1905. who is now a
student in the Gaines schools. Mrs. Chase is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Gaines :uid both she and Mr. Chase are members of the
Ancient Order of Gleaners. Mr. Chase is a member of Byron Lodge No.
80, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the local tent of the Knights of the
i\Iaccabees, of which latter order he has been lieutenant commander.

ARAL A. RIKER.

Aral A. ]\iker, former alderman from the tirst ward and a well-known
merchant of Mint, grocer and druggisl at Xo. 310 South Saginaw street, is
a nati\e son of Michigan, born in the village of Greenville, Montcalm county,
April 14, 1866. He is the son of Jackson and h'lecta ( Lockwood ) Riker,
both natives of Pennsvh ania, \\hii were the ])arents of seven children, four
sons and three daughters, of whom hut two are now li\-ing, the subject of
this sketch having a brother, Balas S. Riker, also a resident of Mint.

Jackson Riker was the eldest of the seven children born to his parents,
Jackson Riker and wife, natives of Germany, who settled in Pennsylvania
upon emigrating to this country, and tliere establi.shed their home and reared
their family, their other children ha\ing been AJatthew, John, Charles, Mar-
cus, Delia and Annette. Grandfather Riker was a farmer. His wife died
in Penns)-l\ania and he later nio\ ed to New ^'ork, where his last days were
spent. The junior Jackson Riker was reared <in a farm in I 'ennsylvania antl
upon, the outbreak of the Civil War. which found him at (ircenviUe. Michi-
gan, he enlisted in the Union army antl ser\-ed for a little more than a year,

^^^^"^

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I77

when lie was stricken with typhoid fever and was discharged on a physi-
cian's certiticate of di.sabihty. After the war he again located at Greenville,
where he engaged in farming and in Iniilding contracting. His wife died
there- in 1874, at the age of forty-two years. She was a daughter of John
and Electa Lockwood, natives of Germany, who settled in Pennsylvania upon
emigrating to this country and there spent the rest of their lives. John
Lockwood and wife were the parents of nine children, Electa, Lucinda,
Philanda, Matilda, Stephen, Eunice, John, Peter and Balas. Jackson Riker
died at Grand Rapids in 1905, being then se\'enty-nine years of age.

Aral A. Riker lived at Greenville until he was ten years of age and then
went to the neighboring village of Sheridan, where he lived for nine years,
during which time he was variousl}' engaged, working in saw-mills, shingle-
mills and stores, presen.tly becoming the manager of the general store of
Fargo, Brackett & Company, his former employers in the saw-mill. On
Christmas Eve, 1887, he arrived in Flint, with a view to making his home
there, and has resided there practically all 'the time since. For eighteen
months after his arri\al at Flint he worked in the Flint Wagon Works and
then engaged in the gr()cer\- business at Bancroft, in the neighboring county
of Shiawassee, in partnership with Hiram Beidelman. Ten months later he
sold out to his partner and returned to Flint, where he was employed to
drive the delivery wagon for the Hamilton grist-mill. Later he was engaged
as a bookkeeper for James J. Hurley and after awhile began clerking in the
W. C. Pierce grocer}- store and later for Partridge Brothers, wholesale groc-
ers. He then engaged in the grocery business on his own account, setting up
an establishment at No. .217 South Saginaw street, and was thus engaged
for eleven years, at the end of which time he began working for George \Y.
Pethabridge & Company and a little more than three years later brought his
present grocer}- ;mtl drug store from Thomas Collins, in partnership with
Fred Kelley. Four years later Mr. Riker brought his partner's interest in the
store and has continued the business alone since that time. Mr. Riker is a
Demf)crat and for two years served the city as alderman from the first ward.

On October 7, 1885, Aral A. Riker was united in marriage to Catherine
I'^-irrell. who was born at Flint, Feliruary 27, 1868, second in order of birth
of the three children born to her parents, she having an elder sister, Eliza,
and a younger brother, Edward. Both her parents, now dead, had been
married previously, her father In- his first marriage having had seven chil-
dren. Dennis, John, Richard, Thomas, ^Matthew, Mary and Josephine, while
to her mother's first marriage fi\-e children were born, John, George, James,
ri2a)

1/8 GEXKSEE COUNTY, .AtlCIIIGAN.

Maiy and Theresa. To Mr. and >.lr.s. I\iker rt\e cliildren Iiave ijeen horn,
namely: Edward V.. a tra\elin,i; salesman for the National Biscuit ("oni-
pany; Margaret F... who died at tiie age of se\eiiteen months; Helen yi.,
who married Carl W. Church, a hardware merchant at Detroit; Aral A., a
graduate of the Flint high school, who is at home, and Winifred, who is at-
tending St. Mary's College, at Monroe, this state. Mrs. Riker and the chil-
dren are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Riker is a member of Gene-
see Lodge No. 174. Free and Accepted Ma.sons, and of Flint Lodge No. 222.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in the affairs of both of which
orders he take a warm interest.

JOHN P. RANSOM.

At an early period in his life John P. Ransom, a retired farmer of
Flushing, Genesee county, mapped out his own career and has never depended
upon others. His prosperity may be attributed to his earnest and persistent
endeavor as well as t<> the fact that he has always consistently tried to follow
the Golden Rule.

Mr. Ransom was born in the Township of Flushing, Michigan, February
18, 1859, and is a son of Robert C. Ransom, who was born in Genesee
coimty. New York, June 2^, 1821. The latter came to ?^lichigan with his
parents, Benjamin and Hannah (Persons) Ransom, in the year 1837, the
family locating on a farm four miles east of Flushing. In 1845 he mar-
ried Angeline Smith, a daughter of Simeon and Elizabeth Smith, pioneers
of this locality. Angeline Smith was born in Orleans, ^Medina county. New
York, Octolier 24, 1825, and came to Genesee county, Michigan, with her
parents in 1837, the family locating in Flushing. Fler death occurred on
August 8, igoi. Robert C. Ransom livetl on the farm st)uthwest of I'lnsh-
ing on section 33, after he was married, clearing eighty acres there, which
he added to until he owned a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres in
section 7,^^ at the time of his death, which occurred on November 24. 1800.
His family consisted of seven children, namely: Ranselor B. Ransi^n was
born in Flushing, March 6, 1846, and died on September IQ, 1915; he spent
most of his life farming, but finally locating in the village of Flushing where
he engaged in the farm implement business. When seventeen vears of
age he enlisted for service in tlie Civil War, joining the Fonrtb Michigan

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 1 79

Cavalry, in which he serxed until the close of the war. He was one of the
soldiers who captured Jefferson Davis, the Confederate president. He was
a charter member of Ransom Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Flush-
ing, also belonged to the Masonic order here. Robert W. Ransom, born
July 24, 1848, has devoted his active life to general farming, and is now
living in retirement in the village of Flushing. Simeon Ransom, born on
October 3, 1851, lives in Rico, Colorado, having been a resident of that sec-
lion for the past forty years, and is interested in mining there. Marvin P.
Ransom, born August 8, 1853, devoted his active life to general farming,
but is now living in retirement in New Lathrop. Albert E. Ransom, born
April 23, 1857, has long been editor of Flushing Observer, was formerly
a well-known teacher and was the first school commissioner of Genesee
county. John P. Ransom, of this sketch, was the next child in order of
Inrth. Charles Ransom, youngest of the children, was born in January,
1867, ^"d died in 1872, at the age of five years.

John P. Ransom was educated in the district schools, which he attended
in the winter months, working on the home farm in the summer time. He
was a schoolmate of Minnie O. Banning, whom he married on December
23, 1884. She was born at Adams Basin, New York, June 15, 1859, and is
a daughter of Frederick G. Banning, who was born in Ogdentown, New
York, October 8, 1826. from which country he removed with his family to
Genesee county, Michigan, in 1864, locating on a farm in Clayton town-
ship, where he lived imtil his death, which occurred on January 30. 1880.
He had a good seventy-acre farm here. During the Civil War he enlisted
in the New York Volunteer Infantry, in which he served eighteen months
and was discharged for disability. He married Louisa White, who was
born in Stafford township. Genesee county, New York. May 17, 1824:
she was married on May 17, 1849. •ind died March 2. 191 5, having" reached
the advanced age of ninety-one years, lacking two months. She led an
active life up to alxiut two years liefore her death. To Frederick G. Ban-
ning and wife four children were born, namely: Frances, born August i,
1851, married William Brey, both now deceased, her death having occurred
on January 5, 191 5: George W., born July 7, 1853, is a retired farmer and
merchant of Reed City, Michigan; Minnie O., wife of Mr. Ransom of this
sketch, and Ora L., born January 16. 1870, died on October 3, 1874.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ransom five children have l>een born, namely: Fav.
wlio died in infancy: Arthur I.., liorn .\pril 30, 1887, is living on a farm
in Flushing township: Charles F.. liorn January 77, 1889, died Octoljer 73.

I So GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

1915; Myrtle L., born December 25, 1894, married .Max Graham, a travel-
ing salesman of Detroit; Harold, born August 8, 1903, died in infancy.

After leaving school, John A. Ransom took up farming on the home-
stead, on which he remained until 1886, when he jjurchased forty acres in
section ^^, Flushing township. He later added to this until he had a good
fiirni of one hundred and sixty acres and was active!}- engaged in general
farming here until 1909, when he located in the village of Flushing, bought
property and immediately built the residence in which he now lives. He
also owns other real estate in Flushing and in Flint. He has been retired
from active life since 1909. Fie has been a director for the past fifteen years
in the Genesee County Mutual Farmers Fire Insurance Compan\-. for which
company he has also acted as agent.

Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to the ^Masonic lodge at
I'lusliing and has passed all tlie cliairs but master in the same.

FRANK D. BLOSS.

Among the enterprising men of ati'airs of Genesee county is I'rank
D. Bloss, of Swartz Creek, local agricultural superintendent of the Mt.
Clemens Sugar Company. He has been an advocate of progress in all
phases of life, progress at any price with honor, and, this being a fact,
he has achieved pronounced success in his chosen field of endeavor, begin-
ning early in life to advance himself and leaving no stone unturned whereby
he might legitimately do so.

Frank D. Bloss was born in Saratoga county. New York, June 19.
1859, a son of Stephen and Mary (Daniels) Bloss, both also natives of that
same county, where the}' grew up on farms and were married. There
Stephen Bloss farmed a small place, in connection with which he operated
a blacksmith shop. He left there on Christmas Day, 1864, moving his
family to Michigan, and locating on a farm one mile west of Rankin in
Mundy township, this county, living there until he sold out toward the lat-
ter part of his life, moving, in the fall of 1878 to a place south of the
village, where he spent several years, then retired from active life and spent
his last days in Swartz Creek. He and his wife were the parents of eleven
children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Frank D.. the sul)ject
of this sketch: Fred S., of Grand Blanc township: .\twood S.. of Swartz

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. l8l

Creek; William A., of Swartz Creek, in Gaines township; Cora, the wife of
Frank Rix, of Whigville, in Grand Blanc township; Cutler, who lives in
Flint; Fannie, the wife of Wilfred Short, of Flushing, and David G., who
lives in Swartz Creek.

Frank D. Bloss was reared on the home farm and attended the pubUc
schools of his community and the Flint high school. He "worked out"
during vacations and taught during the winters for fifteen years in Mundy,
Gaines and Flint townships. He later rented what is now the Genesee
County Nursery's farm and in 1883 bought forty acres in Gaines township,
where he engaged in farming until 1906, in January of which year he moved
to Flint, where he continued to reside until in February, 1914, when he
moved to the farm and later to Swartz Creek, where he now resides. Before
leaving the farm Mr. Bloss became interested in the sugar-beet business,
and took a position as field man with the Mt. Clemens Sugar Company, with
which concern he remained for one year, acting as district manager. He then
was connected with the Continental Sugar Company for one year as district
manager, after which he returned to the former company, with which he
is still connected. In 1910 he was made agricultural superintendent for this
district and is discharging the duties of that position in a highly satisfactory
manner.

On August 9, 1 88 1, Frank D. Bloss was married to Eunice A. Storer.
a daughter of Eben and Rosanna (Wilcox) Storer. When eleven years okl,
Eben Storer, who was a native of Connecticut, went to the state of New
York, where he lived until about 1837, when he came with his brother to
Michigan. They purchased eighty acres in Genesee county, near Flint, and
put in a crop. Eben Storer later returned to New York, and while there
married Rosanna Wilcox. In 1839 he returned to Michigan with his bride
and settled on his farm in Flint township. Genesee county. There he pros-
pered and later added to his original holdings until he had a good farm of
one hundred and forty-seven acres on which he and his wife spent the rest
of their lives, his death occurring in September, 1889, and hers, in March,
1890. They were the parents of six children, namely: Cordelia, deceased,
who was the wife of John Hite; Amelia, the wife of Luther Cutney, of
Flint; George, who lives in Flint; Mary, the wife of Eugene M. Curtis, of
Flint; Florence A., who lives in Flint, and Eunice, the wife of Mr. Bloss.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bloss two children have been born, Milo E. and Clare
S. IMilo E. Bloss received his education in the schools of Flint. He mar-
ried Frankie Atherton and tn that union one child was born, Marion F., who

ICS2 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

is attending schuoi in Swartz Creek. Airb. i'Vankie Jjiobs died in February,
1915, and Alilo E. Bloss later married Maggie Bookman. Ckire S., the
}oungest son, married Clara Alay Bell, of Sage, Ogemaw county, this state.
Both these sons are living on the old home place, which they operate, and
which now comprises two hundred and hfty acres, known as the 1". D.
Bloss & Sons farm, in section 11, Gaines township, including the original
"forty"' in that township, and land in sections 10 and 14.

Politically, Frank D. Bloss is a Republican. He is a member of Gene-
see Lodge No. 144, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Gleaners, and both he and his
wife are members of the Order of tlie Eastern Star, being charter members
of Crystal Arbor Chapter at Swartz Creek, which was organized in 1898.
Mrs. Bloss was supreme chaplain for the order in Michigan for eight years.
Mr. Bloss was chief gleaner of the local lodge of Gleaners for four years,
and both are well known and influential in fraternal circles.

WILLIAM A. HOSIE.

William A. Hosie, a well-known and well-to-do farmer and stockman,
proprietor of "Maple Lawn Stock Farm" of one hundred and fifty-three
acres in section 4 of Clayton township, on the I'otter road, rural route Xo.
I, out of l'"lushing, and for }ears actively identified with the work of
developing that part of the county, is a nati\e son of Genesee county, born
on the farm on which he now lives, and has lived diere all his life. He was
born on April 19, 1869, son of Archibald D. and Alary AI. (Starrj Hosie,
the latter of whom is still living on the old home place with her son and
his family.

Archibald D. Hosie was born in Alassachusetts on September 20, 1835,
and was but a child when he came to Alichigan with his parents, James and
Alary Hosie, who silent their last days in Genesee county, substantial
and influential pioneer residenjts of the Flushing neighborhood. James
Hosie was torn in Scotland on December 29, 1803, and became an expert
at construction work. In 1828 he came to the United States and for some
vears thereafter was employed on construction work in the East, superin-
tending the construction of several extensive jobs, even after coming to
Alichigan in the early da\s returning to New York City, where he superin-
tended the construction of an important section of the Croton waterworks

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 183

in 1839. It was in 1835 that he and his brother, Andrew Hosie, came to
the then Territory of ilichigan and after prospecting a bit, pre-empted seven
"eighties" in Fkishing township, this county, James Hosie thus becoming one
of the earHest settlers in this part of the state. In 1837 h^ brought his
family out here from Massachusetts and established his home in the wilder-
ness, proceeding to clear and develop his lands, soon becoming recognized
as one of the most energetic and influential men in this part of the state,
a large landowner and a director of various enterprises. There he and his
wife spent their last days, honored and useful members of the community
in which they lived. Of their sons, three, Andrew, James and John, were
killed while serving in the Union army during the Civil War, two having
been killed in battle, while the other was killed while on provost duty, hav-
ing been slain by a deserter whom he was trying to arrest. Archibald D.
Hosie grew to manhood on the pioneer farm in this county and after his
marriage to Mary M. Starr settled on the quarter section, a part of his
father's extensive holdings, in Clayton township, now owned and operated
by his son, and brought the same to a high state of development, "Maple
Lawn Stock Farm" long having been looked upon as one of the best farms
in that part of the county. Archibald D. Hosie was a Republican, but
never was a seeker after public office. He was a Presbyterian, a member
of the church of that denomination at Flushing, and was for years a mem-
ber of the board of trustees of the same. He died on April 14, 1906, and
his widow still survives him. continuing to make her home on the old home
place. The house in which she and her husband began housekeeping and
where their children were borii, is still standing on the farm, now Ijeing
used as a farm building, long ago having been supplanted as a residence by
a fine new house. Archibald D. Hosie and wife were the parents of two
children, the subject of this sketch having had a sister, Ella, who died in
March. 1906, about a month before the death of her father.

William A. Hosie grew to manhood on the paternal farm, receiving
his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and
in the high school at Flushing, and has ever remained on the home place,
ever I^efore the death of his father having worked with the latter in the
practical management of the same. After his marriage in 1895 he estab-
lished his home diere and has continued to improve and develop the place.
Tn addition to his general farming he has given considerable attention to
the raising of live stock and has a fine herd of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle,
besides large numliers of sheep and hogs, and has done very well. Mr.

184 GHNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Hosie is a Republican and has Ijeen treasurer of his school district since
191 1.

It was on November 2-, 1895. that \\illiani A. Hosie was united in
marriage to Maggie A. Allward. who was born near London, Ontario,
daughter of Robert and Catherine Allward, and who came to Michigan
from Canada in her youth with her parents, the family settling in Saginaw
count}- and later coming to Genesee county and settling in Flushing town-
ship, where she was living when she married Mr. Hosie. To that union
two children have been born, Lloyd E., born on December 21, 1896, who
finished his eighth-grade school work in the Flushing schools and later took
a course in the Flushing high school and in a business college at Flint, and
Archibald D., February 2, 1907. Mrs. Hosie died on September 29, 1913,
and is buried in Fhishing cemetery. Mr. Hosie is a member of the Baptist
church at Flushing, one of the trustees of the same, and takes an earnest
interest in all neighborhood good works. He is a member of the Order of
the Loyal Guard at Flushing and takes a warm interest in the affairs of
the same.

CLARENCE A, CAAIERON.

Clarence ,\. < "anieron, well-known attorney-at-law at Mint ;uid present
court commissioner, is a native of Canada, but has lived in this section of
Michigan since childhood. He v.as born on a farm fifteen miles east of the
citv of London, Ontario, January 2, 1867, son of Henry and Sophia (Lane)
Cameron, both natives of Ontario, the latter of whom is still living, making
her home in Montmorency county, this state.

Henry Cameron was the son of Alexander and Eliza (Lyons) Cam-
eron, both natives of Ontario, who came to ^Michigan in 1866 and settled at
Flazelton, in the neighboring county of Shiawasee, where they spent the rest
of their lives. Alexander Cameron was a blacksmith as well as a farmer and
was known as one of the best artificers in iron in this part of the state. He
died at Hazelton in November, 1883, at the age of seventy-three years, and
his widow survived until 1898, she being seventy-eight years of age at the
time of her death. They were the parents of thirteen children, Henry,
Daniel, Nancv, Marv. Elizabeth, John. Wellington, Sarah, Emma, William.
Alexander, Phoebe and one \\\\o died in infancy. Henry Cameron was
trained as a carpenter, but later became a farmer. He married, in Ontario,
Sophia Lane, dauglucr of James and M;iry (('liilton') Lane, natives of Eng-

i^sAn^dtA^

GENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 185

land, who emigrateil to C aiiada and located on a farm not far from Toronto,
afterward moving to a farm near London, in Middlesex county, where tlie\-
spent the remainder of their days. James Lane was seventy years of age
at the time of his death and his widow lived to be fifteen years older, she
having been eighty-five at the time of her death. They were the parents of
five children,- Reuben, Sophia, Thomas and two who died voung. Some
years after their marriage. Henry Cameron and wife and their small chil-
dren came to .Michigan and settled at judd's (.'orners. in Shiawassee countv,
where ]\lr. Cameron engaged in tlie mercantile Inisiness and also owned a
farm. He later moved to Atlanta and was engaged in business there until
his retirement. He died in 1904, at the age nf sixt}-four vears, not long
after retiring from business. His widow', who still survives, is now living
in ]\Iontmorency county. She was reared in the old Weslevan Methodist
faith, but in later life has been iilentifietl with the Methodist Episcopal
church. Henry Cameron held \arious township otifices and at one time was
coroner of Montmorency county. He ruid his wife \\ere the parents of si.x
children, namely: James A., of Xew Ontario. ( anada : Edward \\'.. of
]\Iontmorency county, this state; Clarence .\.. the subject of this biographical
.sketch; Reuben T., of Flushmg, this county; Mary E., now deceased, who
was the wife of ^^'illiam Cole, now of .\rizona. and Foster K.. who lives in
Montmorency county.

Clarence A. Cameron was Init a child when his parents came to this
state and he was reared on his father's farm in Shiawasee county, attending
the district school, the Corunna high school and the Flushing high school,
from which latter he was graduated, after which he engaged in the drug
and grocer\- business at Flushing, building up a fine business, which he pre-
sently sold to his brother and then entered the University of Michigan in
pursuance of a long-cheri.shed de.«ign to engage in the practice of the law.
He attended the law department of the university and was admitted to the
bar in 1912. Almost immediately afterward he engaged in practice at Flint,
where he e\er since has been thus engaged, with ofiices in the Flint P. Smith
building. Mr. Cameron is a Repulilican, has held various minor public
ofilces and is at present serving as circuit court conunissioner. He is a Roval
Arch Mason, an Odd Fellow and an !"Jk and takes a warm interest in the
aft'airs of these several fraternal organizations. Mrs. Cameron is a memiier
of the Baptist church, and both she antl }ilr. Cameron take a i)n>per interest
in the various social and cultural acti\ities of their home town.

On June j^. 1890, Clarence A. Cameron was united in marriage to
Emma White, who was born in Mushing townshii). th.is count\-. .Vugust ^i.

ISO GEXKSF.1-: COrXTV. MICHIGAN.

l86t). daughler ui the Rev. Joseph I!. :iiul Rebecca (Smith) White, both
now decea.sed, who left si.x children. Airs. Cameron having three brothers,
Hulburt Oliver, William and Samuel, and two sisters, Martha and Abbie.
Mrs. Cameron's maternal grandfather, Jnhn Smith, one of the early settlers
of Genesee county, came hc'e from ()h\u and Imth he and his wife lived to
rii)e old ages. They had six children, Reuben, Andrew, James, Rebecca,
Catherine and Jane. Her i)alernal grandparents were natives of Pennsyl-
vania and spent al! their li\e.s in that state. To Mr. and Airs. Cameron three
children have been born, l£ula Aiyrinc, who married Raymond R. Williams
and has one child, a son, Robert Cameron ; Donald W., a graduate of the
Flushing high school, who is now a draughtsman in the ofifice of the Grav
Alotor Compan}- at Detroit, and \\'ard A., at home. JMrs. \\'illiams was
graduated from the Flushing high school and the Flint high school, attended
the Alonroe Conservatory of Music and taught school for one year.

FRED H. LOWELL.

Tlie man who has a reputation for big crops should stud}- his farming
tu see if it will bear close critical inspection in its various details. Fred
LI. J^owell. of Thetford township, Genesee county, does this, and as a result
he is a good general farmer. He was born in the above named township
and county, September 6, 1880, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Alasonj
Lowell, natives of Illinois and Canatla, respectively. They came to Alichigan
when young and were married here, devoting their active lives to farming,
and are now li\ing retired in the village of Clio, Genesee countw To these
parents cle\ en children were born, all living at this writing but one, name!\- :
George, wiio died when twenty- four years old: Hattie. who was graduated
from Ferris Institute and is now teaching in the Coldwater public schools:
Jame.~ R.. who is farming on the old homestead: Edward S., who is a car-
pente;- and live- at Highland Park, Detroit: Walter W.. a lal><>rer: Minnie,
who is studying for a professional nurse in Grace Hospital in Detroit,
Michigan: lassie, who is attending Clio high school; Reuben, also a stu-
dent in ihe Clio high school; Cecil, who is attending the public schools at
Clio, and Fred H., of this sketch.

The subject of this review grew uj) nn the home farm in Thetford town-
ship and received his education in the district schools, lieing graduated from
the ciinunon schools, after which he tautrht a short time in Thetford town-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. IB/

ship. He has since de\uted his attention tu farming and owns forty acres
in Thetford township.

Mr. Lowell was married in Februarx , 1913, to Pearl 1. .Vtkin, a daugh-
ter of William and Etilie (liartj h'arnum. She grew up in this count\-
and was 'educated in the public and high schools. To this union one son
has been born, Lawrence F. Lowell, whose birth occurred in 19 15.

Politically, Mr. Lowell is a Republican and he was township treasurer
for two years, being active in local party affairs.

JOHN F. QUICK.

The present popular and faithful postmaster at Swartz ' Creek, Gaines
township, this county, John F. Quick, hails from the old Keystone state,
which has sent so many of her sterling citizens into the West which they
have helped develop through their courage, enterprise and excellent ideals
of citizenship. He was born in Carbondale, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania,
F'ebruary 25, 1863, son of FTancis and Mariah L. (LakeJ Quick, the
former of whom was born on a farm in Luzerne county, that state. When
he was five years old, Francis Quick's father died and he was bound out
to a miller to learn the millwright trade, and so siient his boyhood in a flour
mill. He became a skilled millwright, which trade he followed for some
time, then tunued his attention to carpentering and hnally to mercantile pur-
suits. He was also postmaster at Dunmore, Pennsylvania, for a few years.
In 1878, John F. Quick being then fifteen years old, the family came to
Michigan, locating in Gaines township, Genesee county, where the father
worked some at his trade and there spent the rest of his life, dying in 1892,
his widow surviving ten years, dying in 1902. They were parents of five
children, two of whom reached maturity, John F.. the subject of this sketch,
and Almon S., who lives in the city of Flint. The mother was previouslx
married twice, and had three children before her marriage with I<>ancis
Quick. Her first two husbands died in New York state, after which she
moved to Pennsylvania with relatives and there met and married Mr. Quick.
He, too, had been previously married and had two children by his first wife.

John F. Quick attended the public schools in Pennsylvania until he
was fifteen years of age. Atout five years later he learned the painter's
trade, which he followed more or less for twenty years, making his home in
Gaines township, this county. After his marriage in 1889 he located on

l88 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

hi^ farm in section 23, Gaines townsliii), where he continued to reside until
appiiinted postmaster at Swartz Creek, July 1, 1915, the duties of whicli
I'tiice lie lias since discharged in a highlx' satisfactory manner.

On March 20, 1889, John F. Quick was married to Belle \'an Horn,
a daughter of John \'an Horn, of Gaines township. Mr. Quick is a Demo-
crat and has long been acti\e in local party afifairs. He served as justice
of the peace for four rears and as township clerk for three years, filling
these oftices in an alile and conscientious manner. He is charter member of
Clavton Arlior Lodge of the Gleaners at Swartz Creek, and is also a mem-
ber of .Swartz Creek Lodge No. 458. Free and .Accepted Masons, in the
affairs of both of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

HORACF W. GILBERT.

Another honored pioneer citizen of Genesee county is Horace \\ .
Gilbert, a retired farmer living in Swartz Creek, Gaines township, now in
his eightieth year. During the sixty-four years that he has lived in this
localit)- he has noted "many changes come over the face of the land," the
country having been practically a wilderness when he came here, and talks
interestingly of the early days. Horace \\\ Gilbert was born near Mt.
Morris, New York, September 4, 1836, a son of Luther and Hannah ( W'is-
ner) Gilgert, both natives of New York state, where they grew up, were
married and lived on a farm until 185-' when they came to Genesee county,
Michigan, the father having maile a pre\ ions trij) here, purchasing a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres in (ienesee township, near Mt. Morris, later
returning to his native state for his family. Here he cleared and improved
his land and he and his wife spent the rest of their lives on it. Luther
Gilbert was a Whig when a young man, and later a stanch Republican,
thou.gh never sought or held public ofifice. He was an active member of the
Baptist church and a deacon in the same for years. His family consisted
of six children, Horace W. being the youngest and the only present survivor.

Horace W. Gilliert was sixteen years old when he came to Genesee
countv, and he assisted his father clear the home place and establish the new
home, remaining there until he was twenty years of age. In 1856 he began
working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years.
becoming a skilled workman. He presently purchased one hundred and six
acres of wild lan<l which he cleared and improved into a good farm. The

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 189

place, now known as "Spring Brook Farm," lies in section 14, Gaines town-
ship. There Air. Gilbert continued to reside until 1906, when he rented his
farm and retired from active life, moving to the village of Swartz Creek,
where he has since resided.

On July 4, 1858, Horace W. Gilbert was married to Mercy M. Rail,
a daughter of Jacob Rail and wife, who came to Genesee county from the
state of New York in 1837, being among the hrst settlers in Clayton town-
ship, where Mrs. Gilbert was born and reared. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert
three children have been born, namely: Luther, who died in early life;
Mary Jane, now deceased, who was the wife of J. D. Thompson, and Fred-
erick H., who lives on the home place.

Mr. Gilbert is a Republican and served as treasurer of Gaines township
for two years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Swartz Creek and he has been a trustee of the same for years,
also chorister for the past half century, and is still acting in this latter
capacity. Mr. Gilbert has been one of the main pillars of this congregation
for many decades and has always borne a most excellent reputation and is
well known over the county. For six years he was a member of the board
of directors of the Genesee l^^armers Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

J. J. KURTZ, M. D.

Dr. J. J. Kurtz was born in Genesee township, this county, August 7,
J887, and is a son of Daniel and Nellie (Lapp) Kurtz, whose family con-
sists of six children, namely: Grace, who has received a good education;
Raymond, who was graduated from the Flint high school and from the
Michigan x-Vgricultural College in civil engineering, and now resides in Flint ;
Loron, who was also graduated in civil engineering; Dr. J. J., of this sketch;
Clavton, who is farming in Genesee township.

Doctor Kurtz was reared on the home farm and educated in the
Flint high school, then entered the college of liberal arts of Xorthwestern
University, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 19(0. He tlien
entered the medical department of the same institution, from which he was
graduated in 1914 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After si^ending
one year as interne in a general hospital, he came to Otisville. Genesee county.
He belongs to the Genesee County Medical Society, the Michigan Afedical

H;0 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Siifiety and ilie American Medical Association, while his fraternal relations
art- with Ortonxille Lodge No. 401, Free and Accepted Masons.

Doctor Kurtz was married, in September, 1913, to \'. Pearl Stempson,
who was graduated from I'"lint high school in 1908, also was graduated from
the (icnesce (duiity Xormal. She taught in the local schools four years.

GUSTA\' 1-". SHU-MAX.

Gusta\- !•'. Sherman, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Clayton
township, this county, owner of a tine farm of one hundred and sixty acres
on the Lennon road, rural route No. 8, out of Flint, is a native son of
-Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in
l-"rankenmuth township, Saginaw county, Septemljer 2^, 1853, son of George
M. and ^Margaret (SignorJ Shuman, natives of Germany, whose last days
were spent at Swartz Creek, in this county.

George M. Shuman was born in the town of Xeuenburg and grew to
manhood in his native land, becoming a locksmith and key-maker. \\'hen
twenty-seven years of age, in 1851, he came to die United States and located
at Detroit, where he worked at his trade for four years and where he mar-
ried -Margaret Signor, also a native of (jcrmany. After their marriage
George M. Shuman and his wife settled on a farm in Frankenmuth town-
ship, Saginaw countx , where they lived for four years, at the end of which
time they suld their place there and came to Genesee county, settling on a
farm in (laines township, where they lived until the time of their retire-
ment from the active labors of the farm, when they moved to the \illage of
Swartz Creek, where they spent their last days. They were the parents
of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-torn and all
of whom arc living, the others being, Christina, who married John Thoma
and now lives in Arkansas: Mary, wife of Peter Hens, of Gaines township,
this countv, and Louise, wife of George ^^'illiams, also living in .Arkansas.

Gusta\' Shuman was Init a child when he came to Genesee count\- with
his parents and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Gaines township,
remaining there after liis marriage in 1870 for twelve years, at the end of
which time he bought the f|uarter section on which he is now living in Clay-
ton townshi]) and where he has lived ever since, he and his family being
\erv jjleasantlv situated. Tn addition to his general farming, Mr. Shuman
h.-is given considerable attention to the raising of a good grade of live stock

GENESEE COUNTY, illCHIGAN. I9I

and has done very well. He is a Democrat, and gives a good citizen's
attention to local political affairs, but has never Ijeen included in the otiice-
seeking class. He is a member of the Clayton Grange and takes a warm
interest in the affairs of that organization.

It was on January i, 1879, that Gusta\- F. Shuman was uniteil in mar-
riage, by the Rev. J. B. Goss, to Amelia Dieck, of this county, who was
born in Germany, daughter of Fred and Louisa (Ketzler) Dieck, who came
to the United States with their family in 1873 ^^"<^1 settled in this county,
and to that union six children have Ijeen born, all of whom are living,
namely : Alice, who was graduated from the Normal School at Fenton and
later taught school for six years in her home township, then married Karl
Shepard, of Clayton township, to which union five children have been born,
Opal A., Beatrice AL. Paul G. and Robert K. and Roberta A. (twins) ; Otto,
who married Viola Rose and is farming in Clayton township, has one child,
a daughter, Bernice Fl : Albert, who is at Tampico, Mexico; Bertha, who
is at home with her parents; Opal, who married John INIcNally, of Muiidy
township, this county, and has three children, Bernetia G., Theron R. and
Jean .V., and Charles, who married Fillie Ximphie and is living on the
home i)lace. Mr. and ]Mrs. Shuman are memljers of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Swartz Creek and take a warm interest in the various beneficences
of the same, as well as in all local p'ood wurks.

S. F. BEACH.

It is not ever_vbody that can make a success in the newspaper business.
It is a field in which many enter, but in which few remain, the majority
being compelled to drop out and turn their attention to something else,
finding that they lack the proper initiative, news sense, courage, industry
and perseverance to succeed. S. F. Beach, proprietor of the Independent
at i-'enton. this countv, seems to possess the requisite innate (jualitie^- in win
and retain a foothold in this arena.

S. F. Beach was born in Decatur. Michigan, October 19, 1878, a sun
of Orange and Florence (I.usk) Beach. The father died in 190J. Oiu"
subject was educated in the public schools of Decatur, where he grew to
manhood. On June 6. 190T. he was united in marriage to Florence F.
Galbreach. and to their union twu children have been born. Ruth and
Robert.

192 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Mr. Jjcach began his career as newspaper man when Ijut a bo}-, in the
mechanical deiiartment of the Decatur Rcpublicoii and in due course of
time became foreman of tliat paper. On April i, 1906, he purchased the
l-ciiton JudcpciuU'itt, and has nuule it one of the best weekly newspapers
of its type in the state. He has greatly increased its circulation and improved
its mechanical appearance. The Independent was established in a very
earlv day bv H. N. Jennings, whd, with his s<mi, J. H. Jennings, continued
to publish it until selling out td Mr. J '.each, who is now the ^ile owner.
This paper is issued every Saturda) .

Politically, Mr. Beach is a Republican and is active in party affairs.
He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows,

JOSEPH BRL-SH FEXTOX.

Josei)h Liru^h Fenton, an honored veteran of the livil War and for
year-- prominently connected with the real-estate interests of Flint, with
offices in the Fenton building, that citv. is a nati\e son of Genesee county,
born in the town of l-'enton, in the southern part of the county. That town
took its name in honor of his father, Col. William ^L Fenton. for years one
of the most prominent residents of Cknesee county. The date of the sub-
ject's birth was June 28, 1843. U'* parents, Col. William M. and Adelaide
S. (Birdsall) Fenton, were torn at Norwich, in Chenango county. New
York, and were the parents of four children, of whom, J. Brush Fenton.
the third in order of birth, is now the only survivor, the others having been
Ada B., who was the wife of William B. McCreer^^ of Flint, for years
prominent in the United States diplomatic service; Henry and Sarah R.

Col. William j\'[. Fenton was the son of Joseph S. Fenton. a nati\e of
Norwich. .\'ew \ork, whose wife was a Brush. Joseph S. Fenton was a
banker in the l-'.ast and in the early da}s of the settlement of this section
of Michigan came to Genesee county and settled at Fentonville. which had
been J )ibbleville. but was changed to l<"entonville in honor of his son, who
had preceded him to this part of the state. The name of the township in
which it is situated was also changed to Fenton. From the very beginning
of his residence there Joseph S. Fenton took a leading part in the general
atYairs of the community and for some time served as a member of the state
Senate from this district. He and his wife were the parents of six children,
of whom Colonel l'"enton was the eklest, the others being as follow : J

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

193

Brush, who died at the age of thirty years: Julia, who married Grant Decker;
Lavinia, who married Benjamin Rockwell; Jennie, who married Samuel
Lewis, a prominent citizen of Detroit, and Sarah F., who married Professor
Sanborn, of Dartmouth College. Colonel Fenton's education was received
in the Fast. When fourteen years of age he entered Hamilton College,
with the class of i8-?6, and was graduated at the head of his class when
eighteen years of age. He then followed the sea for four or five years, at
the end of which time he returned home, married and came to this county,
where he spent the rest of his life. His wife was a daughter of Judge
James Birdsall, a native of New York, a lawyer and one-time member of
Congress from his home district in New York, who later became a pioneer
of this county and for yeai"s sen'ed as justice of the peace in Flint. Judge
Birdsall and his wife, the latter of whom was a .Steer, were the parents of
nine children, namely: Adelaide S., wife of Colonel Fenton; Mrs. H, A.
Dillaye, of Syracuse, New York; Mrs. Elizabeth Henry, who died in Calir
fomia; Mrs. Risbah Kellogg, of San Francisco; Mrs. Kate Johnson, of San
Francisco: Henry, of New York state; Charles; Benjamin, who lived in
Fenton, and Maurice, also of Fenton.

Colonel Fenton did not seriously take up the study of law until after
coming to this county, althou.gh he had given some attention to that subject
in college. Upon coming here he engaged in the mercantile and milling
business in the village which afterward was given his name, but presenth'
began the study of law. was admitted to the bar and moved to Flint, where
he ever afterward made his home. In 1846 he was elected to the state
Senate and in 1848 was elected lieutenant-governor of Michigan, serving
four years. When the Civil War broke out he was commissioned major
of the Seventh Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and later was com-
missioned by the governor to raise the Eighth Regiment, Michigan Volun-
teer Infantry, of which he was made colonel and at the head of which he
went to the front, acting nuich of the time as brigadier-general and division
commander, .\fter about two years of service, during which he participated
in a number of important battles. Colonel Fenton resigned his commission,
in 1863, and returned to Flint, where he resumed his law practice. In 1864
he was the Democratic party's nominee for governor, but was defeated by
Governor Crapo. He was elected mayor of Flint and in that official capacity
did much to promote the growing interests of the town. When the fire
department was reorganized he was appointed chief engineer to get the new
system under way and during the department's first run after his appoint-
(13a)

104 GKNF.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ment met with an accident tliat rcsnlted in his death two days hiter, Xovem-
ber 12, 1871, he then being sixty-three years of age. His wife had died a
few years earher, at the age of fifty-six. They were members of the Epis-
copal church and for years were among the leaders in local good works.
Colonel Fenton was active in all movements having to do with the upbuilding
of his home town and the I'enton building, which he erected in 1865. still
stands, a useful monument to his memory. He was prominent in both
Masonic and Odd Fellow circles and had served as grand commander of
Knights Templar in Michigan.

J. Brush Fenton was about four years old when iiis parents moved from
Fenton to Flint and in the latter city he grew to manhood. At the age of
twelve years he entered Professor Nutting's Academy at Lodi Plains, near
Ann Arbor, and from there went to Madison University at Hamilton, Xew
'S'ork. Upon completing the academic course in the latter institution he
entered Ca^enovia Seminary, Cazenovia, New York, where he was pur-
suing his studies when the Civil War broke out. He hastened home antl
enlisted in his father's regiment, the Eighth Miciiigan, with which he sened
until honorably discharged in 1863 on account of disability due to wounds
received in battle. During his service he acted as aide-de-camp under his
father, Colonel Fenton, and Gen. O. M. Poe, and rose to the rank of first
lieutenant. He participated in numerous important engagements, including
the second battle of Bull Run, and it was at the battle of Chantilly, \'ir-
ginia, that he received the wound which compelled his retirement from the
service. After being wounded he was conveyed to Washington, where he
was cared for in the house of Mr. Treadway, that afterwards was occupied
by Mrs. Surratt. wiio was connected with the conspiracy to assassinate
President Lincoln. So serious was his injjury that for nine weeks he lay
there without turning over. After his convalescence he returned to his
home in Flint and presently engaged in the grocery and crockery business,
his store being situated at the northeast corner of Saginaw and Kearsley
streets. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Fenton took a trip through New Mexico
and in the Rocky mountains region and finally settled at Wichita, Kansas,
becoming one of the earliest settlers of that place, and there he lived until
1875. In the summer of 1874 he returned to Flint and was married there,
but straightway returned to \\"ichita. Upon his return to Flint tlie next
year, however, he made his permanent home there and has lived in tiiat citv
ever since, his time l)eing devoted to the general real estate business, in whicli
lie has been \ery successful. Mr. Fenton is the owner of a fine farm of
two hundred acres in Mt. Morris township, hut has always made his home

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I95

in town. He is a Democrat and gives thoughtful attention to local political
affairs, but has never been a seeker after public office.

On June 30, 1874, J. Brush Fenton was united in marriage to Mary V.
Thayer, who was torn at Flint, daughter of Artemas and M. Louise (Miles)
Thayer, natixes of New York state, the latter of "Mayflower" descent, and
early settlers at Flint, where their last days were spent. Artemas Thayer
was a prominent attorney at Flint in his day and was noted as a builder, it
being said that he erected more houses during his residence in the town
than any other man there during that period. He and his wife were the
parents of five children, F"'loy, Paris, Mary V., Edward M. and Herbert A.

To J. Brush and Mary V. (Thayer) Fenton four children were bom,
as follow : Adelaide, who died at the age of nine years; Mary L., who mar-
ried Donald M. McCall, of Muskegon, this state, and has two children,
Donald F. and William T. ; Virginia B., who married William H. Davison,
of Flint, and died in 191 5, leaving two children, daughters, Mary Thayer
and Louise Richmond; and Ia)uise T., who married Fritz R. Miller, of Flint,
and has two children, William Fenton and Virginia F'rances. Mr. and Mrs.
Fenton also reared another girl child, Mary Louise, now the wife of James
Martin, cashier of the Genesee County Bank at Flint. Mrs. Fenton died in
November, 1912, at the age of sixty-one years. She was a member of the
Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Fenton is an attendant. Mr. Fenton is
a meml^er of the Michigan Commandery of tlie Military Order of the Loyal
Legion and is a member of Governor Crapo Post of the Grand Army of
the Republic, in the affairs of both of which patriotic organizations he takes
a warm interest.

HON. LEVI WALKER.

Hon. Levi Walker was born in Granville, Washington county. New
York, December 28, 1803. His parents were Josiah Walker and Jemima
Tanner, his wife. So near was his birthplace to the border line of Vermont
that he often playfully said he was partly a Green Mountain boy. While he
was but a child, his parents removed to Sumner Hill, Cayuga county. New
York. He was partly educated at Homer Academy and finished his course
at Fairfield Institute in Herkimer county. Having completed his literar\-
studies, he togan reading law with Judge Reid at Homer, and also read with
William J. Bacon, of Utica, New York. In early boyhood he exhibited the
thirst for knowledge which characterized him through life. For manv years

196 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

it was liis custom always to have a l)Ook with him wlien ridin.t,^ cr walking,
from which he was memorizing. He began the practice of law in Genoa.
New York, in 1835. He subsecjuently removed to Auburn, New York, and
entered into a law partnership with Hon. George H. Rathbone, then a mem-
ber of Congress. He was associated with Hon. William H. Seward as
counsel in the memorable defense of the insane negro murderer, Freeman,
to which Charles Francis Adams made eloquent reference in the Seward
memorial services.

Mr. Walker was, while yet a young man, the editor of a paper at Brock-
port, New York, where he wielded a trenchant pen in the interest of what
was then called the "National Republican party." It was the first anti-
slavery paper published in New York.

In 1837 Mr. Walker was married to Louise Bigelow Meech, daughter
of Cyperian and Polly (Hanchett) Meech. Mrs. Walker was a niece of
Gen. Jonathan Woodbridge. Her grandfather, who was a lieutenant in the
French and Indian War, also kept tavern in Worthington, Massachusetts,
where General Burgoyne was brought while being taken as a prisoner to
Boston.

In 1847 Mr. Walker removed to Flint, where, ten years before, his
brothers. Stiles, James B. and Henry C, had preceded him and where he
resided until the time of his death. He early became actively identified with
all business, educational and social interests of the growing town. For
twenty consecutive years next preceding his death he had been a member of
the school board of Flint. In this capacity his sound judgment, his practical
sense and his far-seeing wisdom were conspicuous. He looked upon educa-
tion for the masses as the bulwark of our political and social institutions
and the splendid school system of Flint, with its resulting excellent schools,
is, in an important sense, the work of his peculiar genius.

Mr. Walker was a member of the Presbyterian church and for years
served as elder and trustee. Thoroughness, exactness and clearness of per-
ception were his distinguishing traits. As a lawyer he stood in many respects
at the head of his profession. A sensitive conscience and a high sense of
personal honor kept him free from that peculiar weakness that sometimes
appertains to practitioners. An opinion by Mr. Walker was considered
almost conclusive on any law point. He held the office of justice of the
peace for many years and in that capacity was conspicuous for his clearness
and justice. He drafted the first charter of the city of Flint, as well as the
charter in force at the time of his decease, and was the author of the articles
of association of the Genesee County .Kgricultural Society, of the Mint

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I97

Driviiii;- Park Associati(jn, the Glenwood Cemetery Association and the con-
struction of the Fh'nt City Gas Light Company. Indeed, there is scarcely
anything in the recorded history of the city which does not bear the impress
of his well-disciphned mind.

yh: Walker and Artemus Thayer were the leading spirits in establishing
Glenwood Cemeter}- as a beautiful burying place. In 1872 he was elected
to the state Legislature, where his force of character and superiority were
soon manifest. As chairman of the important committee of state affairs,
he seems to have given his personal attention to ever\' subject that came
before it. He included in committee reports a statement of the bill reported
on and the reason for the disposition made of it by the committee. In many
cases this entailed considerable labor, yet in almost, if not quite, every instance,
it was performed by J\Ir. Walker himself, in whose handwriting the report
appeared. Two of the most frequent applications made to a legislature are
for the changing of names and for the appropriation of non-resident high-
way taxes for the construction of state roads. Trifling as they may seem to
be, they consumed considerable time and upon these subjects, among others,
Mr. Walker submitted elaborate reports, which are likely to settle, or at
least guide, legislative action upon them for the future. He came to be
regarded as, with few if any exxeptions, the soundest thinker in the House
and was considered the foremost leader of that body. His views upon any
subject were carefully and eagerly listened to.

There is no doubt that Mr. Walker's death was the result of the exces-
sive labor which he imposed upon himself in his earnest interest for the
welfare of the state. He died at Lansing on April 26, 1873, retaining abso-
lute reliability of mind until his last moment. His last act was to affix his
signature to his will, dictated but a few minutes before his dissolution.
Death came unexpectedly, but found his soul ready to test the future life, in
which he had implicit faith.

Governor Charles H. Cromwell, the speaker of the House that year,
said : "It is no exaggeration to say that in the death of Mr. Walker this
House has lost one of its best and ablest members. He was remarkable for
those i>eculiar powers necessary for a thorough and just analysis of all ques-
tions submitted to him for consideration. Shrinking from no labor, with
watchful attention to every detail, he was never satisfied until he had thoro-
ughly mastered his subject. Then, with clearness of argument and aptness
of illustration, he presented his views, almost invariably to receive the sanc-
tion and appro\al of his associates."

j\Ir. \\'alker was sunived twent\-two years by his widow, who died

igS GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

in 1895, '^getl eight} -four years. She was a woman of remarkable intellec-
tual power and achievement and retained her brilliancy of mind until life's
close. She was very patriotic and performed most efficient service in the
Soldiers" Aid Societies. Her heart and soul were in the work of sending
supplies to the soldiers. The day following the first disaster at Bull Run
she called the first meeting of ladies to her house to scrape lint and make
bandages to send to the battle lines. Her interest and laljor nc\er failed while
there was a soldier to care for.

Mrs. Walker's family was an interesting group. One daughter, Flora
Louise, died when a small girl. Her son, George Meech, died in 1905. He
had succeeded his father as justice of the peace, which office he held con-
secutivel}' for more than twenty-five years. Few of his decisions were
re\ ersed in higher courts. One daughter, Helen Victoria, remained at the old
homestead until her recent death. In the literary and intellectual life of l-lint
she had much influence. She was the only surviving president of the Ladies'
Library Association, 1 icing the only young lady who was honored with that
position. She had been closely identified with the Columbian ( lub and was
its first president, holding the place for several years. Her church ant! Sim-
tlay school work was of wide range and deep effectiveness.

So passeth one generation and another cometh that the fulness may
remain.

AlERRITT i\. GROSSMAN.

Genesee county has been a good enough place for Merritt A. Grossman
to spend his life, and since he was a boy, more than half a century ago,
he has noted many great and important changes take place here. For many
^■ears he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits in Richfield township,
but is now engaged in the produce business at Otisville. Merritt A. Gross-
man was born in the above-named township and county on October >■;, 185 1,
a son of Aaron and Lydia (Dibble) Grossman, pioneer settlers of this local-
ity. The father was born in Vermont, reared on a farm, and there married
Lydia Dibble, after which he ;uKi his wife came to Michigan, settling in
Genesee county when fewer than half a dozen buildings constituted what
is now the city of Flint, the country hereabout then being a vast stretch of
primeval forest. Aaron Grossman purchased one hundred and twenty acres
of timber land— scIkjoI land, which he cleared by hard work and placed
under improvements, building a ]>rimiti\e lionic. At that time only three

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. I99

families lived within the present bounds of Richheld township. He and
his wife spent the rest of their lives on that farm. Eleven children were
born to them, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest.

Alerritt A. Grossman grew up amid pioneer surroundings, worked hard
on the home farm, and received a limited education in the early-day district
schools, and early in life started out for himself as a farmer. He now
owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable and well-improved land
adjoining Otisville, where he carried on general farming and stock raising
until 1905, in which year he turned his attention to the produce business,
which has since claimed his attention, and he has enjoyed a large trade at his
well-stocked store in Otisville.

Merritt A. Grossman was married, first, to Lydia Matthews, whose
death occurred in 1876. He subsequently married Julia Davis, who lived
but a few months thereafter. He is now living with his third wife, who
was Ellen Wills before her marriage. Four children were born to his first
marriage, namely : Blanche, who is the wife of Charles Andrews, of Detroit ;
William, who lives on the home place; Aaron W., who lives in Detroit, and
Arthur C, of Mint.

After his first marriage Mr. Grossman continued to live on his father's
farm and a few \ears later purchased the same, but later sold it and bought
a farm in Forest township on which he lived two years, at the end of which
time he bought his present place at Otisville. Like his father before him,
Mr. Grossman has been a life-long Democrat and has been more or less
active in the councils of his party. He is widely and favorably know^n
throughout the county and has ever given a good citizen's attention to all
movements designed to advance the common welfare hereabout.

WILLIAM A. LAKE.

In pioneer days when farming implements were of the crudest kind,
requiring a goodly supply of both muscle and grit to use them to advantage,
brawn, more than brains, was needed in the btisiness of farming, in order to
rescue the fertile soils from the wilderness and wild prairie growth. But
today the successful farmer must use his wits more than his physical prowess
to succeed as a farmer. William A. Lake is one of Genesee county's suc-
cessful fanners on a small scale. He w^as born in Jackson county, Ohio,
November 24, 1859, and is a son of John and Mary (Crull) Lake. He

200 GKXK.SEE CULNTV, MICHIGAN.

grew up in tlie Buckeye state and tliere received sucli education as the district
schools afforded, working on his fatlier's farm in the summer months. In
the spring of 1881 he came to Genesee count}', locating in Gaines township,
working out hy the month at farm work here and in Shiawassee county.
Saving his earnings, he purchased, in 1890, the eighty-acre farm on which
he now lives in Gaines township and here he has made a comfortable liveli-
hood, living here twenty-six years continuously.

Mr. T,ake was married on Septeml^er 6. 1889, to Jane Borst, a tlaughter
of William Henry Borst, a pioneer settler of Gaines township. To this
union two children have been ixDrn, namely : Ray is engaged in farming in
Gaines tov.-nsbip: Clara is the wife of Frank Smith and they live in Durand.
Michigan.

I'olitically, Mr. Lake is a l\e])ubiican, but has never been active in public
atYairs. kratemailv, he belongs to the Grange at Gaines.

ROBl'RT r,R.\DI.EV.

One of the foreign-ljorn citizens of Genesee county, who has stamped
tile impress of his strong individuality upon tlie minds of the people of this
locality, is Roliert T'radley. the present efficient mayor of the town of Lin-
den.

Mr. Bradley was born at Oxford. Canada, .Kugust 31, i860, and is a
son of Robert and Margaret ( Reany ) Bradley. His grandfather was a
native of Ireland, where he spent his life with the exception of a few years
in Scotland, where the father of the subject was born. The latter was
reared and educated in Ireland. He came to Canada when eighteen years of
age and Ictcated in Oxford, where he spent the rest of his life. His wife,
mother of the subject, was a natixe of Ireland. Tliey were members of the
Presbyterian church. They were jjarents of the follmving children: Agnes,
deceased; William. Archie, Mary. Robert, jr.. iCjjhraim. and lulith, deceased.

Robert Bradley, of this sketch, spent his boyhood in Canada and at-
tended, the public scliools there. He came to Genesee comity, Michigan, in
1880. ,A\'iien a boy he learned the blacksmith's trade, in which he iiecame
higlily skilled, following this line of endeavor until 1906. when he located
on a farm of one hundred acres near Linden, on which he has since resided
and, is still engaged in general farming.

Mr. Bradlev was married in 188^ to .\nna Warren, whose death oc-

'7?cr^^^.^^.

^>-^

GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 20I

curred on .May ig. 1913, al the age of fort)-four years. To this itniuii two
children \\ere born, namely: I'reston. who married Clrace Thayer Wilkins,
and Beulah, who married Rus.sell Judson. and they ha\c one child, lean
Elizabeth Judson.

AJr. Jiradley is a Democrat and has been active in the affairs of his
party for some lime. He was village clerk a number of years ago and was
a member of the council for a period of eight years. He is now mayor of
Linden, which office he has held about one year. He is also president of the
school board. As a public servant he has ever discharged his duties in an
able, conscientious and commendable manner, and has done much toward the
general upbuilding of Linden. He is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. He is an exceptionally well-read man, keeping up with
current opinion on all lines of general public interest.

JAMES \V. .^USXER.

The man who gains success in this age of materialism is he who can
see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path — seize them at the
right time and use them properly. To do so requires innate tact, keen dis-
crimination and sound judgment. One of the successful business men of
Genesee county is the pioneer merchant, James W. Misner, of Otisville.

James W. Misner was born on a farm in Norfolk county, Ontario,
Canada, December 29, 1848, a son of William and Joan (Smith) Misner,
both of Scotch and English descent and both born and reared in Canada.
y\.fter their marriage William Alisner and wife lived on a farm in their native
locality until in 1858, when they sold out and came to Michigan, settling in
Forest township, Genesee county, wdiere William Misner purchased forty
acres of woodland. While developing his (iwn place he and his family
li\ed on the Dirr farm in that vicinit}-, which they rented for a number of
years. William Misner finally cleared and developed his own farm and
there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. They were the parents
of the children, seven of whom are still living.

James W. Misner was ten years of age when his parents came t(i this
county and he grew up on the home farm, receiving his education in the
district schools. He remained at home until his marriage on May ,^. 1872,
to Mary .\nn Craig, who was born in Laper county, Michigan, a daughter
of Robert and Alary Craig. After his marriage James W. Afisner liought

202 GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

;i tanii ul l\\cin_\- acres (in which he H\cd a nuiiihcr ni year?, working in
saw-iiiills and in the iuniher wikkIs tluriny tlie winter nKjiitlis. He worked
as a shingle sawyer in the mills fur several snmniers and hnally sold his
farm and rented a large farm in Marathon township, Lapeer conntv, on
which he spent eleven years, at the end of which time he honght a small
farm in that townshijj, tui which he spent two years, lie then returned to
Genesee .connt\- and locatetl at Otisville, where he clerked for Stringer &
Osban for fourteen }ears and was also connected with the local elevator for
twelve or fifteen v-ears. In the fall of 191 5 Mr. Misner Ijought a half inter-
est in the store of P. L. Laing at Otisville. since which time the (inn has
been I^ing & Misner.

To Mr. and Mrs. Misner nine children have ])een Ixirn, namclv : Rob-
ert, who died when four years of age; W'allacc, who died when fourteen
months of age; Ethel, the wife of Alfred Ward, of Mint; Elsie, the wife
of Ronald Laing, of Otisville; Charlie, who lives in drand Haven; Mary, the
wife of Shernian Gale, of Long Lake; Mabel is em])lo\ed by \'eaton Davison,
as a lK)okkeei>er and lives in Flint; Lennie, the wife of Bert Bristol, of
Mint; Amanda, the wife uf John Harden, a farmer, of Otisville, and Paul,
who is still in school.

Politically, Mr. Misner is a Democrat. He served as township clerk
for a period of eight years, was president of the village of Otisville for two
terms and has also served on the village council thirteen years. He is a
member of Otisville Lodge No. 401, Free and Accepted Masons, and a
member of the Episcopal church, of which he has been treasurer and a
member of the l>oard of trustees for a number of vears.

OTIS G. HH'.BARD.

The business of farming ct)mprises among many other points the con-
sideration of what crops to grow, how to grow them to the l)est advantage,
whether for sale or for use on the farm. It brings out more than any-
thing else the lousiness acumen of the farmer, and is more or less the verv
keynote to success or failure. A successful farmer of ^Iund\- township.
Genesee county, is Otis G. Hibbard. who was lx>rn in Gaines township, this
county, August 31. 1865, a son and only child of Albert and Sophronia
(Rarnum) Hibbard. Albert Hibbard was liorn at Sodus V>ay. New York,
where he spent his lioyhood, iK'ing thirteen years old when he came witii

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2O3

his parents, Ambrose ilibbard and wife, to Michigan, the family lucating
on a farm in Muiidy township, Genesee county, renting the old Mack
Thompson place for three years. Then Ambrose Hibbard, who was born
on April 5, 1809, bought eighty acres in Fenton township, where the fanjily
lived a number of years, then moved to near the outskirts of the town of
Flint, where Ambrose Hibbard spent the rest of his life, dying on December
20, 1892.

Albert Hibbard married Sophronia Barnum, a native of the state of
New York, from which she removed with her parents to Genesee county,
^Michigan, in 1854, about one year after the tlibbards came. After his
marriage, Albert Hibbard located on the old Woodhall place in Fenton
township, which he rented, later moving to Tyrone township, Li\ingston
count}-, where he bought forty acres, just across the line from Genesee
county, and lived there eight j-ears; then lived on various farms until late
in life when he came to live with his son, Otis G., where his death occurred
September 30, 19 14, his wife following him to the grave five weeks later,
November 8, 1914.

Otis G. Hibbard grew to manhood on the farm and received a connnon
school education. On February 3, 1887, he married Cora F. Cox, a daugh-
ter of John and Martha (Hill) Cox, and a native of Fenton township.
Genesee county. Her parents were both born and reared in England, from
which country they came to America with their respective parents in their
youth, the mother of Mrs. Hibbard being but ten years old at the time of
her arrival in this country. Her family located in Washtenaw count)-,
^lichigan. John Cox was twenty years old when he came to ^lichigan,
locating in Mundy townshij), Genesee count}-. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are now
living in Linden, i'"enton township. Six children were born tti them, four
of whom grew to maturity, namel}- : John H., who is a traveling salesman
and lives in Fenton, Michigan: Cora E., wife of Mr. Hibbard; Clayton R..
who is assistant superintendent of the Saginaw, Flint & Bay City Railroad
Companv, and lives at Saginaw-, and Ma1>el F,, the wife of Gorflon W.
Osborn, of Flint.

To ]\Ir. and Mrs. Flibbard three children have been born, namely:
Glen B.. who lives on the home farm, married Luella Brown, and has
one child. Laverne D. : Clifford Ross, who lives in Grand Blanc township,
married Sarah \Villiams. and has two children, Arthur and Esther and
Ivah G.. who is still in school. Politically, Mr. Hibbard is a Republican.

Mr. Hihbnrd first rented the place on which he now lives many }-ears.

204 GEXESEE COUNTY, illCHIGAN.

ilu-n Imiuj^Iu it. It cciiisi^ts of one hundred and ten acres, in Alundy town-
ship, live and (me-half miles from Mint, and is known as the "iMaple X'allev
I'arm."' lie is carrying on general farming and stock raising successfuUv,
handling a good grade of live stock of all kinds.

CALVIN D. BEEC'HER.

Calvin D. Beecher, one of the best-known and most progressive fanners,
stockmen and orchardists of Clayton township, this county, owner of a fine
fann of one hundred and twenty acres in section lo of that township, on
the Beecher road, rural ronte Xo. i, out of I'lushing, is a nati\e son of
f'lenesee count}-, born on the farm on w hicli he now lives, and has lived in
this connty all his life. He was torn on January 8, 1869, .son of Norman A.
and La\"erna L. (Billings) Beecher, both natives of the state of New York,
who came to Michigan in tht- latter fifties and spent the rest of their lives in
this connty.

Norman A. B.eecher was born at Owego, the countv seat of Tioga
county. New ^'ork, in 1830, and grew lo manhood on a farm in that county,
becoming a school teacher, teaching during the winters and farming during
the summers. Mis work as a teacher took him to Albion in Orleans county,
tliat stale, and there lie married LaVenia T.. Billings, who was born at that
place. ]~or two or three years after their marriage he and his wife made
their home on a fanii in Orleans county and then, in 1857, came to Michigan
and .settled in Genesee county. Norman A. Beecher and his brother Ixjught
:i fami of eight}- acres in Clayton township, a part of the farm on which
the subject of this sketch now lives, and there the former established his
home, after awhile buying his brother's interest in the place and adding to
the same '.mtil he became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. For
<e\cral winters ;itter coming here Norman A. Beecher taught school in Clay-
icin ;m(! ]'"lusliing townships, meantime continuing to improve and develo])
liis fann, becoming one of the .substantial and influential farmers of that
neighborhoiKl, His wife died in 1874, lea\-ing two sons, F.lbert L., now a
well-kiunvn resident of I'lushing, and the subject of this sketch. Not long
afterward Mr. Ileeclier returned to his old lionie in New '^'ork and there he
married Marcelia .\. Wood, daughter of Colonel Wood, and returned to his
Imme in this county, where he spent his last days, his death occurring in
i^r)2. His \\ido\v still sur\ivcs liim and is now making her home with lier

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2O5

daug-hters in Detroit. To tliat union two daughters were liorn, Nellie A.,
who married Dr. C C. Goods, of Detroit, and Fannie H.. who married Dr.
\'. L. Smith, also of Detroit.

Calvin D. Beccher was reared on. the paternal farm, receiving his ele-
mentary education in the district school, supplementing the same bv a course
in the high school at Flushing and later took a course in tlie Michigan Agri-
cultural College at Lansing. \\'hen twenty-three years of age he married
and established his home on a farm of eighty acres he had bought in section
5 of his home township and there he and his wife lived for seven years, or
until 1899, when he bought his father's old home place, where they ever since
have made their home and where they are very comfortably and very pleas-
antly situated. In addition to his general fanning and stock raising, Mr.
Beecher gives considerable attention to the cultivation of apples and has a
fine orchard of sixteen acres. He is a Republican and was inspector of
schools in his home township for two years.

On November 23, 1892, Calvin D. Beecher was miited in marriage to
Lura Penoyer, who also was bom in this county, daughter of Rufus J. and
Emerett (White) Penoyer, both natives of this county, members of pioneer
families. Mr. and Mrs. Beecher take an earnest interest in the general
social activities of their home community and are helpful in advancing all
good causes thereabout. Mr. Beecher is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight
Templar, a member of the "blue" lodge and the chapter at Flushing and of
the commandery at F'lint, while both he and his wife are members of the
local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star at Flushing and of the Grange
at that place. He also is a member of the local "tent" of the Knights of the
Maccaliees at Flushing and in the affairs of ail these organizations takes a
\^■arm interest.

MARTIN B. VAN SLYKE.

Martin B. Van Slyke, a farmer and stockman, of Flint township, was
born in Genesee county on October 28,.i84i, the son of William and Eliza-
beth (Rogers) Van Slyke, natives of Genesee county. New York, where they
grew to manhood and womanhood and were married and where their chil-
dren were born. In 1836 William Van Slyke and family left their native
state and proceeded by lx)at to Detroit and thence by wagon to Flint, where
they remained but a short time, the present farm of Martin B. Van Slyke
then being purchased and the family taking up their residence there. That

206 GENESEE COUNTY, .MICHIGAN.

\va^^ ilu- hiMiic of William and I'.lixalicth \"an Slyke until their death, the
tDriiHT dyiPL^ in i''~'74 and the latter in lOOJ.

William and I'llizabeth \'an .'-ilyke were the parents nf nine chiMrcn,
those besides the subject <>!' this skeUh bein"^ as follow: Frank, of I'lint
townshi]): Martha, of ]'a\- ( it\, widow nf William Xeedhani; Julia, deceased,
who was the wife of ^^■alt h". Leesley : Sarah, wife of Herman Sheldon of
Flint township; Amelia., wife of Lyman Boomer, of Flint; Mary, wife of
Fugene \\'right, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Hattie, wife of Aaron Will-
iams, of ("Ho; ^^'il!ian^. and Fliza, deceased, who was the wife of Allen
Clarke, of Flint.

Martin 11. \":mi Slvke was reared on the home farm and was educated
in the scho<3ls of Flint townshi]). He remained at home until 1867 when he
went to the copper mines "{ northern Michigan, where he spent five years.
In 1871 he returned home for a year, after which he spent three years in
the West, working on farms. He then again returned to the old home and
purchased the farm. In September. 1873. ^fr. \'an Slyke was married to
Lucena .Sweet, of Burton township.

Martin B. Van Slvke and wife are the parents of three children: Will-
iam, who is a graduate of the Flint high school and makes that city his
home; Mix, a graduate of the normal school, who is still at home, and Stella,
who also is at home with her parents.

Fraternallv. Mr. \'an Slyke is a member of the Independent ()rder of
Odd Fellows, as is his son Mix, both members of Friendship Lodge No. .■'4.
of which Mr. \'an Slvke has been a member since 1868. The famii}- are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take much interest in all
church work. Politically, Mr. \"an Slyke is a Democrat and has ser\ed iiis
township as treasurer and road supervisor for a number of years.

ECXiLESTOX BROTHERS.

Lyman and Jasper Eggleston. tw(.) ]ironiinent and .successful fan.ie:-s of
Genesee county, residing live miles southwest of Mint, are the sons of John
I), and Marilda (Beecher) Eggleston.

In 1837, Jolin I^- Eggleston and family left their home in the st:ae of
New York and came to this county, locating in Mint township, where thc>-
purcliased one hundred and twentv acres of land. They lived there for a
short time, after wiiich thev M)kl the farm and purchased another of forty

GENESEi; COUXTY,

207

acres, a few miles soulli, wliere Lyman and Jasper Eggleston now reside.
It was there that the father and mother made their liome until their death.
Jolm D. Eggleston dying on November 28, 1892, and Mrs. Eggle.ston, Time
30, 1894.

John 1), l-'ggleston and wife were the parents of the following children:
Lyman; ^Martha, the widow of George D^-e, resides in Flint township; Marv,
who resides in I'lushing, the widow of Charles L. Packard; Chauncev J.,
who died in 191 1; Sarah A., wife of Robert Knight of Maple Grove town-
ship. Saginaw county; Jasper; Marilda, who died at the age of six years;
A. Delera, the wife of John H. Carey, of Flint township; Clarence, who
died at the age of eleven months; Anna M., the wife of William Goodu, of
Flint, and Etta R., who died on January' 9, 1903. the wife of Robert Noble.

.\t the time John D. Eggleston and family came to this comity, John A.
Eggleston, the father, came with tliem and located in Flint township, where
he purchased five hundred acres of land and where he made his home for
a number of years.

Lyman Eggleston was l)orn in Yates township. Orleans county, New
York, November 21, 1836, and came with his parents to ]\Iichigan when hut
one year old. Lyman and Jasper Eggleston received their education in the
district school and grew to manhoo<l on the home farm. The boys of die
family remained together until they had two hundred and forty acres of
well developed and impro\ed land. The farm was then divided. Lyman and
Jasper remaining together, while Cliauncey farmed alone for a short time
and then moved to Flint, where he died on April 30, 1914.

On January 7, 1889, Jasper Jiggleston was married to Mary Ellen
Garey, the daughter of John and Nora (Moore) Garey. of Saginaw. To
this union two children have been born, Blanche Anna and John Elmer.
Blanche, who was born on February 6, 1890, after completing her schooling.
married Rol>ert J. Ferguson, of 512 Asylum street. Flint. John Elmer
Eggleston was born on January 10, 1892. He completed the conunon-school
course, after which he took a .special cour.se in l)anking. at the Baker Institute
and is now with the Buick Company at P'lint.

John Garey. father of Mrs. Eggleston. came to Michigan from Canada.
He had grown to manhood in Canada and there met and married Nora
]\Ioore, a native of Ireland, who left her native home when Init nine years,
of age. Soon after their marriage they came to Michigan and located in
Calhoun county. John Garey died in Saginaw county, in June, 1875. Mrs.
Garey died in Grand Rapids on November 28, 191 1. John Garey and wife
were the parents of the following children: John, of Gladstone. Michigan;

208 GKXESE1-; COIXTV. MICUTGAX.

Edward H.. of Saginaw; Michael, who lives in Idaho; jNIary Ellen, wife of
Jasper Eggleston; Frank, of California; Joseph, who died in i8i^g. and \\ ill-
iam. who died in Saginaw in December. 1904.

Fraternally, Lyman and Jasper h^ggleston are members of i'Hnt Luilge
Xo. J3. Free and Accepted Masons, and Jasper l-lggleston is a Kni.uht Tem[i-
lar. a member of the coniniandery at (•'lint. Politically, they are affiliated
with the Democratic Party and I.^■nlar. P'sgleston lias served as treasurer of
the township for two rears and as liiQ;bwa}- commissioner for h\c years.

< HAREES S. MOTT.

Charles Stewart Alott, president of the \\ eston-Mott Company of Flint,
president of the Industrial Sa\ings Bank of that city, former mayor of
Flint, and for some years past one of the most conspictious figures in the
commercial and industrial life of that city, is a native of New Jersey, born
in the city of Newark, that state, June J, 1S75. He is a son of John C. and
Isaliella Tumbull (Stewart) Mott. the former a native of New York and
the latter of New Jersey. John C. Alott and wife were the parents of two
children, Charles S., and lidith Stewart, who became the wife of Herbert E.
Davis and is now living at Glen Ridge. New Jersey. John C. Mott died in
1899, at the age of forty-nine years, and his widow is now living at Glen
Ridge, New Jersey.

Until he reached tlie age of thirteen years, Charles S. Mott attended the
public schools and then entered Stevens School at Floboken, New Jersey;
at the age of .seventeen he entered the Stevens Institute of Technology,-. After
finishing his sophomore year, in August. 1894, at the age of nineteen years,
he went abroad and for a year pursued the study of zymotechnology and
chemistry at Copenhagen and Miinicli. with a \iew to taking an active part
in his father's business, tlie latter liaviiig been an extensive maker of cider
and vinegar. Upon his return to America he re-entered the Stevens In-
stitute of Technology at Hoboken, from which he \\as graduated in 1897.
The next year, upon the breaking out of the Spanish- American War, he en-
listed in the naval arm of his country's defense, recei\ing rating as gunner's
mate, and served throughout that brief but decisive conflict on board the
United States shi]) ■"Vankec," lieing honorably discharged at the end of the
war. In 1894 be entered the naval militia of New York and received his
discharge as cbiet ijunner's mate in 1000. Amply equipped by reason of

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2O9

liis technical training, Air. Mott, in 1897, engaged in business with his
father, under tlie tirni name ol' C. S. Mott & Company, in the manufacture
of carbonators. In 1900, the year following the death of the elder Mott,
the plant was moved to Utica. New York, and there was merged with that
of the Weston-Mott Company, which had been organized in 1896 and of
which Mr. Mott was even then a director, the chief output of that concern
having been axles, hubs and rims. With the rapid development of the auto-
mobile industry, beginning about that time, the business of the Weston-Mott
C'ompany grew with phenomenal rapidity and it presently became advisable
to move the plant to a point more nearly the center of the automobile trade;
consecjuently. in 1907, the present great plant of the Weston-Mott Company
was established at Flint and has ever since been one of the chief industries
of that city. The plant coni])rises seven large factory buildings, with an
aggregate floor space of four hundred thousand square feet; the company
is capitalized at one million, live hundred thousand dollars and carries more
than two thousand persons on its pa}"-roll, the products of the factor}' now
being sold in all parts of the world.

Not long after locating in Flint, J\lr. Mott became one of the organizers
of the Industrial Savings Bank of Flint and was elected president of the
same, a position he has since occupied. This bank was primarily organized
as an institution for the i)enelit of the industrial community. Its north end
liranch is housed in a modern two-story brick structure opposite the Weston-
Mott factories, at the corner of Hann'Uon and Industrial streets, while its
h'airview branch is located on St. Johns .street, in the foreign district. It
has a capital of two hundred and tifty thousand dollars, with a surplus of
o\er two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Owing to the rapid growth
of the business of the Industrial Savings Bank, it became necessary-, in the
spring of 1913, to mo\'e its main office to the E. P. Smith building on
Saginaw street. Mr. Mott is also a member of the board of directors of the
Genesee Count}' Sa\ings Bank; is a director of the Flint Sandstone and
Brick Company, of which concern he is secretary and treasurer; is vice-
president and director of the Buick Motor Company, and is also connected
with the directorates of the Cojjeman .Stove Company, the Sterling Motor
Compan\- of Detroit, the General Motors Company, being a member of its
executi\e committee, and the Brown-Lipe-Chapin Company, of Syracuse,
New York. In the spring of 1912, as an independent business man and
without any particular party support, Mr. Mott was elected mayor of Flint,
serN-ing two terms, and during his incumbency in that office did much for the
(14a)

2IO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

general advancement ut the city's interests in the way (if lietter puhHc im-
provement, better streets and better community Hfe generally. He has taken
a prominent part in the local work (if the Vounc;- Men's Christian Associa-
tion, of which he is president, and was chairman (if the executive committee
and a leader in the recent "whirhvind" camjiaitju for the raising of one hun-
dred and twelve thousand ddllars for the erection of a new building for the
association in Flint. He is a member of the Country Club at FHnt, of the
Detroit Club and of the Detroit .\thletic Club, as well as the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Societ\ of .\utomobile Engineers.
He is a Scottish-Rite Mason, a Knight Templar, a noble of the Ancient
Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is a member of the Bene-
volent and Protecti\e Order of VAks. the T.oyal Order of Moose and the
United Spanish \\'ar \'cterans. He is a member cif the F.piscopal churcli.
being a vestryman at St. Paul's church in Flint.

On June 14, 1900, at New York City. Charles S. .Mott was marricil to
Ethel C. Harding, daughter of Herliert and Aimee ( Culliert ) Harding, of
New York, and to this union three children have been born : /Vimee, born
April 15, 1902: Elza Beatrice, November 14. 1904, and Charles Stewart
Harding, November 4, 1906, all born in lUica. New ^'ork. The Motts ha\e
one of the most beautiful homes in Flint.

RAY N. ANTHONY.

One of the young farmers of Clayton township who is making good in
his chosen ^■ocation is Ray N. Anthony, who has wisely decided to remain
amid rural scenes instead of casting his lot in some city or town, as so many
farmer boys are doing, the majority of whom sec iheir mistake after it is too
late. Mr. Anthony was born on the farm where he is now li\ing. .March
21, 1884, a son of Herbert and ITattie (^Vhite) Anthony. The fatlier was
bom in England, and when four years of age his parents bmught him to
the United States, the family locating in Oakland county. ^Michigan, where
Herbert grew to manhood, attended school and was married. His wife was
also lx)ni in England and when young came with her parents to the United
States, her family also locating in Oakland comity, Michigan, where she
grew up and went to school, .\fter their marriage, Herbert .Vnthnny and
wife came at once to Genesee county and located in Clayton township, buy-
ins one hundred and sixty acres and there thev have continued to reside to

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

the present time, having developed a good farm 1>y their industry and dose
apphcation. To these parents five children ha\e been Ix)rn, all living, namely :
Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Freeman, of Mushing, this county; May,
wife of William Brooks, of Venice township, this county; Myrtle, wife of
Roy Hardin, of Clayton township; Ray N., the subject of this sketch, and
Lizzie, wife of Lewis Brooks, of Vernon towmship.

Herbert Anthony has been a life-long Republican, and has been more
or less active in local public affairs. He was at one time clerk of Clayton
township and also served as township supervisor. Fraternally, he is a mem-
ber of Flushing Lodge No. 223, Free and Accepted Masons, and has l^een a
member of the order for more than forty years.

Ray N. Anthony grew up on the home farm and received his education
in the district schools and in the Flushing high .school. He has remained
on the homestead which he now successfully operates keeping the land well
cultivated and well improved. He owns eighty acres lying just east of the
homestead in section 16 and also farms the one hundred and seventy acres
which constitutes the homestead. He raises a good grade of live stock,
especially cattle.

On Septemljer 11, 1907, Ray N. Anthony was married to Eva Harding,
a daughter of James and Electa Harding of Clayton township, where Mrs.
Anthony was born, reared and educated. To this union two children have
been born, Lloyd F., born on Jnly 31, 1908, and Ilene, October 10, 191 5.

Mr. Anthony is a member of Lennon Lodge of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.

FRANK M. ^'AN SLYKE.

Frank M. Van Slyke, a farmer and carpenter, of Flint township, was
born in Genesee county on March 28, 1844, the son of William and Betsey
E. (Rogers) Van Slyke, were natives of the state of New York, who were
married on February 10, 1835. Two of their children, William and Mary,
were born in that state.

In 1840 William \'an .Slyke and family cime to Michigan and located
on the farm in Flint township, this county. The place was undeveloped,
but by hard work and much energy the tract of eighty acres was cleared and
soon ready for cultivation. Mr. \'an Slyke was a great reader and became
well posted. He took much interest in education and did much to better the
condition of the schools of the township, ^^^illiam and Betsev Van Slyke

212 GENESEK COUXTY, MICHICAX.

were the parents of ten children,- William. Eliza, Martha, ^lartin. Julia.
Franklin, .Sarah, Amelia. Mary and Hattie.

F"rank M. Van Slyke was reared on the home farm and attended the
district schools during the winters, until he was eighteen years of age. He
worked for his father until he was twenty-six years of age. On Decemljer
25, 1871. he married Nellie Pratt, a native of Orleans comity. New York.
At the age of nine she came with her parents to this county, the family
settling in Burton township, where she lived until her marriage. After
their marriage, Mr. Van Slyke rented the farm of his father-in-law for
twenty-five years. He then bought a farm in Flint township, where the
family lived for eight years. Mrs. Van Slyke died in the fall of 1898.

To Frank M. and Nellie Van Slyke were born four children, namely:
Zula, born on May 9, 1873, is the wife of Albert Ouarterniass ; Alvin,
December 13, 1879, served for a time in the Spanish-American War, and
died in Cuba of yellow fever: Bessie, July 20, 1886, is the wife of George
Taylor, of T""Iint. and TTarry. June 23, 18S8, who died at the age of eight
vears.

Politically, Mr. \ an

Slyke is a Democrat and has served his townslii

on the school board for

twelve years. He has always been acti\e in jr^c:

politics.

EDWARD BURROL'GH.

All honor is due the pioneers of Genesee county, only a few of whom
are left to thrill us with stories of other days. Wild was the region into
which they came. Its forests stood in their primeval strength, the prairie
land was still unbroken, and the Indians still roamed through the woodlands,
seeking the deer and other varieties of game which could then be found in
abundance. Edward Burrough, of Forest township, while not so early a
pioneer as some, yet figured in the early development of this locality. He
was bom in the parish of Luppitt. in Devonshire, England. March 16, 1833,
and is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Farmer) Burrough, both natives of
that same locality, where they were reared on farms, and where they were
married and lived and died. The father was a farmer and butcher. Their
family consisted of ten children, of whom Edward was the se\ enth in order
of birth and eight of whom grew to maturity.

Edward Burrough grew up on the home farm and helpotl his father
with the work of the same during his bovhood. and also learned the butcher

GENESEE COlTNTYj MICHIGAN. 2I3

business under liis father. In 1835, when twenty-one years old, he emi-
grated to Canada, having saved enough by economy to pay his passage across
the Atlantic. Arriving in Toronto he found work in a butcher shop, where
he remained nearly a year, at the end of which time he quit and went to
Collingwood, Canada, where he worked nine months, then returned to Eng-
land, where he married Anne Baker, who was born and reared in the
vicinity of his bo^^hood home. They soon set sail for the British dominion
across the sea and located in London, Ontario, where Mr. Burrough fol-
lowed his trade of butcher for a short time, and then went to Detroit, hav-
ing met a man from Detroit who induced him to come to Michigan, After
remaining a short time in Detroit he moved to Pontiac, working as a butcher,
thence to the Pennsylvania oil fields, in which he spent eighteen months.
His health failing he sold out his interests there and returned to Pontiac,
and in a short time came on to Flint, and entered the meat business, the
place being but a village at that time. After conducting his shop two years
he bought the old Beesley brewery which he operated four or five years, then
sold out. Meanwhile he had purchased his present farm of two hundred
and sixty acres in Forest township, where he has since resided and has Ijeen
one of the leading general farmers and stock raisers of his township.
Although past his eighty-third year Mr. Burrough is still active and well
preserved. The last few years he has been very successful in a business
way.

Mr. Burrough has five children, living, namely: A. J., Frank \\'. and
Charles W., of Michigan: Eva. the wife of C. C. Wright, of Birmingham,
Saskatchewan, and Alice, widow of Thomas Crocker, of Flint. The wife
of Mr. Burrough died in 1868, and he has never remarried. His niece,
Bessie M. Skinner, a native of England, has been his housekeeper for some
time. Politically. Mr. Burrough is a Democrat. ?Ie served as township
supervisor for one year.

E. A. SEELEY.

There is no question but tliat the simple life, of which one hears so
much about nowadays, is the best life, whether lived in the country or the
city. But it is in the former that it can, unquestionably, be carried into bet-
ter effect. The man who is not contented on his farm has many things to
learn yet about life. E. A. Seeley, of Thetford township, is one of the

-iI4 GENESEE COLXTV. MICIIIGAX.

farmers of Genesee county who finds life pleasant and worth while and has
no desire to assume the burdens of the city dweller. Me was born in Genesee
township, this county, Jime i, 1842. and is therefore among the oldest living
nati\e-born citizens in this locality, and during his residence here of over
three score and ten years he has seen many important changes, for the
country was a wilderness when he was a boy. He is a son of Oren and
Selina (Andrews) Seeley, early pioneers of Genesee county. The father
was born in Orleans county, New York, and was of English descent. His
wife was a native of Yates county. New York. They grew up in their
native state, lx)th being reared on farms, and were married there. After
their marriage they settled on a farm in Orleans county, that state, where
they lived until removing to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1840. Here they
bought forty acres of timber land, on which they spent one year; then
returned to New York, but aune back to Michigan in 1842. .Shortly after
returning here their son, E. A., was born. They added another forty acres
to their first purchase and continued to live here the rest of their lives. Nine
children were bom to them, four of whom are now living, namely : Harriet,
widow of E. B. Clapp, lives in Forest township, this county; E. A., the sub-
ject of this sketch; Daniel H., who lives in Genesee township, and William,
who also lives in that township.

E. A. Seeley grew up on the home farm where, like all pioneer children,
he worked hard when he l^ecame of proper age. He received a limited edu-
cation in the early district schools, attending school in a log house with fire-
place, greased paper for window panes, puncheon floors and seats. He
remained at home until he was nineteen years of age. then worked out for
two or three years, but gave his eamings to his father: then l>egan life for
himself, working out by the month. He saved his money and finally rented
E. B. Clapp's fann in Thetford township for one year, then became owner
of a good farm of eighty acres on which he has since lived, known as "Sunny-
side Fann." He has added to his holdings and now owns in all three hun-
dred and forty-one acres in Thetford township. Mr. Seeley has made it all
by hard work and good management and has long been regarded as one of
the leading general farmers and stock raisers of his township.

On March 7, 1865. E. A. Seeley was married to Hattie C. Drudge, who
was bom in the .state of New York, a daughter of Henry and Maiy Dmdge.
who, when she was ten years old, came to Michigan, the family locating on
a farm in Thetford townshiji. this county, where she attended school and
grew to womanhood. To Mr. and ]\Irs. Seeley two children have been born.
Jennie May, who is the wife of Calvin Jobson. of Clio, this county, and

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2rq

LeRoy B., who married Theresa Brown and Hves on his father's farm.

Pohtically, Mr. Seeley is a Democrat. He has served as postmaster in his
township and also as a member of the lioard of review.

HERMAN H. PIERSON.

One of the enterprising young farmers and stock raisers of Burton town-
ship is Herman H. Pierson, who was born in Mt. Morris township, Octoljer
2b, iSyg, a son of Barrett and Sophia Marilla (Maxwell) Pierson.

Barrett Pierson was born in Mt. Morris township, November 17, 1843,
and grew up on the home farm and was educated in the early public schools.
He remained at home until he was nineteen years old, when he enlisted in
Company F, Fourth Alichigan Cavalry, and served faithfully for the Union.
He was one of the men that guarded the wagon which brought Jefferson
Davis back north after the head of the rebellious confederacy had fled into
(jeorgia at the close of the war. He saw much hard service, being injured
once severely, from the effects of which he never recovered. After being
honorably discharged and nmstered out in August, 1865, he returned to
Michigan and in 1867 settled on one hundred and sixty acres of wild land
in section 3, Mt. Morris township, Genesee county, which he cleared and
developed into a good farm and was living there when he married Sophia M.
Maxwell, December 25. 1871. She was born near Syracuse, New York, of
Scotch parentage. When Sophia Maxwell was a baby her parents moved
to Wliite Lake, Oakland county, Michigan, and there cleared up and developed
a farm on which she grew to womanhood and attended school. She came
of a well educated family.

In 1887, Barrett Pierson sold his farm in Mt. Morris and moved to
Burton township, buying a farm in section 27, where he lived until 1914,
when he moved to Flint, living retired in that city until his death on May
28, 10x5. Politically he was a RepubHcan and active in party afifairs. He
cast his first vote for Lincoln, while a soldier in the Civil War and his last
for Taft, having remained faithful to his party during his whole life, of
which fact he was ven- proud. His faniily con.sisted of four children,
namelv: William S., who lives in Flint, born on November 29, 1872;
Margaret C, wife of Charles Howland, living in Pontiac, Michigan, was
born on March 12, 1875: Samuel Maxwell, who also lives in Pontiac, was
born on April 6, 1877, and Herman H., the subject of this sketch.

2l6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Herman H. Pierson grew to manhood on the home farm and was eihi-
cated in the piibHc schools. He lived at home until his marriage on Decem-
lier 15, 190Q. to Alice Elizaljeth Morrish, a daughter of Charles A. and Jen-
nie (J\Ic.\l!isterJ Morrish, of Burton township, where Mrs. Pier.son grew
up and attended school. After his marriage Mr. Pierson moved on a farm
across the road from that of his father, where he resided until in 1014, when
he moved to his father's estate, where he now resides and where he is mak-
ing a success as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Politically, Mr. Pierson is a Republican and he has always taken an
interest in public affairs. In 1904 he was a delegate to the state convention,
which nominated the last governor nominated by a convention. He was
supervisor of his towniship from 1911 to 1914. He is a member of Flint
Lodge No. 23, I'ree and Accepted Masons, and of Burton Center C,range
No. 1072.

HON. JOHN JAY CARTON.

Hon. John Jay Carton, senior member of the law firm of Carton, Bray
& Stewart at Flint, president of the National Bank of l-'Iint. former county
clerk of Genesee county, former speaker of the Michigan House of Repre-
sentatives, president of the Michigan state constitutional convvention in 1907
and for many years an active factor in the civic and business life of this part
of the state, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life.
He was born on a farm in Clayton township. Noveml>er 8, 1856, son of John
and Ann (Maguire) Carton, natives of Ireland, the former born in County
Wexford and the latter in County Monaghan, early and influential residents
of Clayton township and whose last days were spent in the city of l-'lint.

John Carton grew to manhood in Ireland and then, in company witli
iiis two brothers, ^^'illiam and Peter Carton, came to the United States.
locating in New York City, where they worked for a short time, after which
they went to Batavia, New York, as wood choppers in the employ of a Mr.
Pendill, who had a contract to furnish wood for the locomoti\es of the New
York Central railroad. In 1837 Mr. Pendill made considerable investments
in Michigan timber land, among tlie tracts which he bought being the north-
west quarter of section 9, in the township of CIa}ton, in Genesee count\-.
The Carton brothers bought the same, cho|)ping cord-wood at about thirt\-
cents a cord to pay for it. After paying for this land, they came here from
Batavia and settled on it. built a log shanty and began to clear it for cultiva-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 21 7

tion. Peter Carton died not lon^^ afterward and when William Carton caught
the "gold lever" and went to California shortly after the opening of the
gold fields there in 1S4U. John Carton came into full ])Ossession of the place.
On June 2, 1S51, he married Anna .Maguire. who had come from Ireland
and settled in Flint not long before. She went to live with him on the farm
where he had established his home and which he continued to improve, even-
tually bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and there he and his wife
lived, rearing their family, until the s[)ring of i8i)i, when they retired from
the active labors of the farm and mo\ed to Mint, where they spent the rest
(if their lives, John Carton dying in 1892. at the age of eighty-five years.
Jrlis widow- survi\ed him a little less than three years, her death occurring
on September 30, 1895, she then being seventy-three years of age. John
Carton and his wife were members of the Catholic church and their children
were reared in that faith. There were thirteen of these children, of whom
the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others Ijeing
as follow: William, deceased; Peter, of Flint; Anna L., who died unmar-
ried at Dallas, Texas; Mae, who died unmarried in 1915; Luke, of Kal-
kaswa, this state; Frank R., of British Columbia; Isabelle, wife of James L.
Daly, of Flint; Augustus C, of Lansing; James C, also of Lansing, and
three who died in childhood.

John Jay Carton was reared on the f)ld home farm in Clayton town-
ship, receiving his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his
home and in the high school at I'lushing, antl during the winters from 1873
to 1877 taught school in that vicinity. In the latter year he began clerking
in a store at Flushing and was thus engaged until his election to the office of
county clerk in 1880. Mr. Carton served as clerk of the court of Genesee
countv for four ^•ears, 1881-85, meanwhile de\-oling liis leisure to the stuih'
of law. and in 1884 was admitted to the bar. L'pon the completion of his
term of public service he formed a partnership for the practice of law with
Judge George H. Durand at Flint, under the firm name of Durand & Gaston,
and this mutually agreeable association continued until the death of Judge
Durand in 1903. after \vliich Mr. Carton associated with himself in practice
I'.verett L. liray, uniler the firm name of Carton & Bray, which continued
until 1913, when William C. Stewart was admitted to the firm, since which
time the firm has been Carton, Dray & Stewart.

Mr. Carton is a Pe])ublican and, in additicni to the public ser\ice as
clerk of the court, al)0\e referred to, he has ser\ed in se\-eral other import-
ant cajjacities. During 1890 and T891 be was city attorney of Mint and in
i8<j8 was elected representative from this district to the Michigan state Leg-

2i8 r.EXKSEE corxTV, .-\riciii(;.\x.

islature ;iiul was re-elected in kioci and 1002, tluis ser\ing- during the ses-
sions of i8yg, lyoT and 1903, during the latter two of which sessions he
was speaker of the House. He was elected delegate from this district to
the state constitutional convention in 1907 and was honored by his confreres
in that distinguished body by election as president of the convention. Mr.
Carton is a member of the .\nierican Bar Association, of the Michigan State
Bar Association and of the (ienesee County Bar Association and has served
as president of the two latter organizations. In 1899 he was elected presi-
dent of The First National Bank of Flint, was continued as president of that
concern's successor, The National Bank of Flint, and he was formerly vice-
president of the W'e.ston-Mott Company. Mr. Carton is a thirty-third-degree
Mason: was grand master of the grand lodge of Michigan, Free and .\c-
cepted Masons, in 1896, and is an active member of the supreme council of
sovereign grand inspectors-general. Ancient -\ccepted Scottish Rite, and
deputy for Michigan.

On November 22, 1898, John J. ( arton was united in marriage to Mrs.
Addie C. Pierson, daughter of Charles and Cornelia \\'ager. natives of New
York state, the former of whom is now living retired at A\'aterford, in Oak-
land couutv, this state. Mrs. Carton is a member of the Presbvterian church.

L. C. SUTHERLAND,

Among the enterprising men of affairs of Genesee county is L. C. Suther-
land, proprietor of the Argentine boat works. He has met and overcome
obstacles that would have discouraged many men of less determination and
won a position of no little importance in the tody politic. He was born at
.Argentine on September 16, 1832, and is a son of G. G. and Sarah E. (Haw-
ley) .Sutherland, The father was born in Geneva, New York, in 1825.
He was of English descent, although his parents came to the United States
from Ireland, settling in New York .state, G. G. Sutherland was but a boy
when he accompanied his parents from Geneva, New York, to Detroit, Mich-
igan. Later the family moved to a farm in Deerfield township, Livingston
count}-, and were among the early pioneers there, the country thereabout then
still being the domain of the redman, there being very few white settlers.
When fifteen years old G. G. Sutherland was bound out to a man named
Cioundrell, in Detroit, to learn the wagon- and carriage-maker's trade. He
served his time there and in 1840 came to Genesee county, being one of the

GKNKSKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2IQ

iirst settlers at Argentine or in that locality. He erected a shop on the banks
of North creek, the present site of the village of Argentine, and followed
his trade until his death in 1896. His wife, Sarah E. Hawley Sutherland
was born in Seneca, New York, and was a young girl when her parents
mo\ed to Ohio, later to Detroit, Michigan, where her father, Sidney M.
Hawley, worked at the shoemaker's trade one year, then moved to Deer-
field township, Livingston county, in 1837, abqut tlie time the Sutherland
family moved there. Mr. Hawley took up land from the government and
li\ ed there forty years or more, then moved to Fenton, this county, where
he spent the rest of his life, meeting death under a train at the age of eighty
years. The parents of the subject of this sketch were married in Deerfield
township, Livingston county. They located in Argentine about 1846 and
G. G. Sutherland was actively engaged in business there until his death. His
widow survived him twenty years, dying on April 21, 19 16, at the advanced
age of eighty-seven years. To these parents six children were born, five of
whom are still living, namely: Emma J., who is the wife of Fred Moran,
of Argentine township; L. C, the subject of this sketch; Frank A., who
Hves in Flint; Fred G., who lives in Cadillac, and Dr. Bert G. Sutherland,
who is practicing dentistry at Owosso.

L. C. Sutherland received liis education in the Argentine schools and
when but a lx)y began learning his trade in his father's shop, in due course
of time becoming a highly-skilled workman. He formed a partnership with
his father, and about 1890 they established a boat-building business. The
father had purchased the water right there in 1857 and at his death the son
took active charge of the business, which he has since conducted with ever-
growing success. He finds a very ready market for his products owing to
the superior quality and workmanship of his boats. He has a modeml\-
equipped shop and employs a numljer of good mechanics.

On June 13, 1878, L. C. Sutherland was married to Eva Whalen, a
daughter of James Whalen, who died in the autumn of the next year, leav-
ing one son, Everett L. Sutherland, who was graduated from the Linden
high school and is now a minister of the Methodist Protestant church at
Dice, in Saginaw county. In January, 1883, Mr. Sutherland married Lulu
B. Church, of Tyrone, Michigan, and to this second union three children
have been born, Lena L., >vho was graduated from Linden high school, and
is tlie wife of Leonard Stiff, of Fenton township, this county; Grace G.,
who also was graduated from the Linden high school and is the wife of
Fred ITetchler, of Linden, and Ruth, who was graduated from the Michigan

JJO GEXIiSKE f()lX-|'V, MICHIGAN.

A^rifultural (.'olletie an<l is now (.'inpli lyed l)y the Lindquist Clothing Com-
))any in (irand Rapids.

PoHtically. IMr. .Suihciiand is ri Prohibitionist, and ahvays supports the
men be.st snited. in his (i])inion, iny tlie oifices sought. He is a member of
tlu- Mc'tlioihst cliurcli at Vrgenlinc. ol' wliicli he is a trustee.

.KWIS I. L5EXTAM1N.

A farmer and stockman oT tlic t_\])e of Lewis J. Benjamin, proprietor of
"Wahiut Stock lvn.rm,'" in Tlietford townshij) does much to encourage better
farming and the raising of better live stock in his locality. He was born
near Belleville, Ontario, Canada, Se]it ember 19, 1857, and is a son of Richard
L. and Harriet (Martin) Benjamin. The father was bom at Kingston.
Ontario, and was a son of Lewis Benjamin, who moved with three brothers,
farmers and blacksmiths, to Canada in an early day from New York state.
Lewis finally settled at Kingston, where he reared his family of ten children.
Like many pioneers he made clothes and shoes for his family. Harriet
Martin was born in 'ripi>erary, Ireland, and emigrated to Canada when four-
teen Acars old. ."^lic w;is a daughter of John Martin, who engaged in farm-
ing and reared a l.irge family. Li 1S64 Richard L. Benjamin and family
and his four brothers-in-law all came to Michigan. He Ijought one hundred
and twentx- acres in X'ienna township, this county, which he cleared. There
he raised his familv and there his wife died. He later moved to Ogemaw
cuuntv, where he died. He had four children, namely: Lewis J-, the sub-
ject of this .sketch: Sarah A., now deceased, who was the wife of John A.
McCrady, of Clio: Matthew, who lives in Flint, and Eliza J., the wife of
Delbert Hoyt, of Ogemaw county.

Lewis T- Benjamin was reared on the home farm and received a com-
mon school education. He li\-ed at home until he was twenty-two years old.
On March .:^. 1S80. he married bAa C. Munsell, a daughter of Algernon Sid-
ney and l-'milv (Wright) Munsell. The father was torn near Wolcott,
where be lived until he was thirty years old. then moved to Livingston
county. Michigan, where he bought a farm and where he met and married
lunih- Wright, who was born in (lenesee county. New York, and when six-
teen vears dil came with her i)arents to Michigan, the family settling at
^■l)sllanti. where the family lived until 1844, then located in Livingston
countw later, when Mrs. Benjamin was six years old. moving to Thetford

GENESEE CflUNTY. MICHIGAN. 221

township, Genesee county, wliere her parents spent the rest of their hves. her
father dying on December lo. i8q6. at the age of eightv-six years. Her
mother died on Jnly 4 of that same year, at the age of seventv-six. They
were parents of four cliildren, three of whom grew up, namely: Lucetta.
deceased, who was the wife of Lyman Wilhams; Emma, deceased, who was
the wife of Joseph Lewis, and Eva G., wife of Mr. Benjamin.

After his marriage, Mr. Benjamin settled on the old Mvmsell place and
took care of his wife's parents; finally bought the place and lived there until
in April, IQ15, when he moved to his present farm of eighty acres, which
he had purchased in 19 12. He also owns another eighty in Thetford town-
ship. He carries on general farming and stock raising, specializing in breed-
ing registered Holstein cattle, his herd being headed by "King Hengerveld
Palmyra Fayne, the Fifth." The herd is now composed of eighteen head.

Mr. Benjamin has five children, namely: Henry G., who lives on the
old home place, married Elsie Anderson and has two children, Oliver and
Elwin: Emily G.. the wife of Roy Grawol, of Flint; Harriet, who married
John Moran, of Romeo, and has two children, Leo and Gertrude; Johnnie,
who died in infancy, and Nellie Ethyline, who is in school. Politically, Mr.
Benjamin is a Repulilican. He is a member of the Grange.

BERT SKINNER.

As every one knows, methods of farming are changing, and we are
learning many things that the husbandman of half a century ago did not
know or at least did not attach much importance to. Bert Skinner, of
Argentine township, this county, is a farmer who tries to keep abreast of
the times in his vocation and is therefore succeeding. He was born in the
above-named township and coimty on February 25, 1877, a son of Jeptha
and Caroline (Wilkinson) Skinner. The father was born in Ontario, Can-
ada, May 14, 1840, and when a boy moved with his parents to Oakland
county, Michigan, where he lived until he was twenty-six years of age, and
there he and Caroline Wilkinson were married in 1862. She was born in
Lincolnshire, England, and when about ten years old came to Michigan with
her parents, the family settling in Oakland county. The parents of the sub-
ject of this sketch lived in Oakland county about five years after their mar-
riage, then came to Genesee county and bought two hundred and forty acres
in section 33, Argentine township, which ])lace they transformed into a giwd

222 GEXESHl! COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

farm and cuntiiuted to reside tliere until in 1904, when they retired from
active Hfe and located in the village of Byron, where the father's death
occurred on ]\larch 13, 7913. The mother survives. He was independent
in politics and iirni in liis convictions, always standing up for what he
believed to he right, whether political or religious. His widow is a member
of the Byron Baptist church. To these parents eight children were bom,
five of whom are still living, namely : Jeptha, who li\es in Argentine towii-
ship, where also reside Jay D., Bert, Frank \V. and George F. Truie, Hattie
and Eliza are deceased.

Bert Skinner grew uj) on the home farm and received his education in
the district schools and the Byron public schools. He lived at home until he
was twenty-four }ears of age. On October 2;^. 1901, he married Mary R.
Teller, a tlaughter of Samuel and F^liza (Bowers) Teller, natives of Penn-
sylvania anil the state of New Work, respectively, who came to Michigan
and settled in Livingston county, where Mrs. Skinner was born, .\fter their
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Skinner settled on the farm where they still reside in
section 17 of Argentine township. The place consists of one hundred and
fifty acres, which Mr. Skinner had purchased the year previous. He has a
good farm, keeps it well impro\ed and engages in general farming and stock
raising. He and his wife have one son, John Jay Skinner, now attending
district school.

Politically, JNlr. Skinner is a Democrat. He was township treasurer
for two years and he has been town.ship supervisor since November, 1913,
l)eing elected three different times. He is a member of Byron Lodge No.
80. Free and Accepted Masons and of Durand Chapter No. 139, Royal Arch
Masons, and was a master of the Byron lodge from December 27, 1913, to
December 27, 191 5. He also is a member of Byron Chapter No. 212, Order
of the liastern Star.

Dh:XNLS R. STILES.

Tlic true northern sjiirit of progress and enterpri.se is strikingly exemi)li-
lied in the lives of such men as Dennis R. Stiles, a leading business man of
Argentine, tlii^ county. Mis energetic nature and laudable ambition have
enabled him to conquer many adverse circumstances and advance steadily
in his chosen lines of endeavor.

l^ennis R. Stiles was born on a fami in Livingston county, Michigan,
.\utrust i::, t88i, a son of W. B. and Ella K. (Whitnev) Stiles. The father

GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 22T,

was born in I'^ast ;\[endon, New York, a son of W. B. and Cornelia E. Stiles.
The father of the snljject of this sketch H\ed on the home farm in his native
state until he was nineteen years old, then came to Michigan, locating in Deer-
field township, Livingston county, where he worked out as a farm haiid.
His mother joined him there a few years later and he made a home for her.
I'^lla K. Whitney was born in Monroe county, Michigan, and when a girl
came with her parents to Genesee county, the family locating on a farm in
Argentine township, and there she met and married W'. B. Stiles. They first
settled in Deerfield township on a rented farm, but bought forty acres a few-
years later in Deerfield township and lived there twenty-two years; then
moved to Argentine where Mr. Stiles engaged in the lumber business which
he has followed ever since. He had previously purchased a saw-mill there,
and later bought a half interest in the flour-mill, which was for a time oper-
ated untler the firm name of Bishop & Stiles. Finally Mr. Stiles lx)ught
his partner out, operating the mill five years alone, then sold out. Four
years later, in 191 1, W. B. and D. R. Stiles Iwught it. The following year
W. B. .Stiles sold his interest to two of his sons, who in turn sold out to D.
R. Stiles in 19 13. and it has since been owned and operated by the latter.

To W. B. Stiles, Jr. and wife eight children were born, seven of whom
are now lixing, namely: Edward B., w^ho operates the elevator at Linden;
("ornelia, wife of Edward Bird, of Argentine: E. R., who is operating the
elevator at Fostoria : D. R., the subject of this sketch; Floyd S., who is
connected with the elcAator at Davisburg; Jennie B., wife of E. R. Lang,
of Redford, Michigan, and Mal)el S., wife of Eugene Carl, of Shiawassee
county. Marlin L., the deceased child of the family, died at the age of six
months.

D. R. Stiles received his education in the public schools of Argentine,
then attended the normal school at Fenton, from which institution he was
graduated. After leaving school he accepted a position as tra\eling sales-
man for the Russell-Mooney Company, of Chicago, whicl: he represented
for eight years, during which time he penetrated to all parts of the United
Slates and gave eminent .satisfaction to his firm, greatly increasing the busi-
ness and prestige of the same. But finally tiring of tlie road he returned
to Argentine and entered the milling business with his father. Ife is one
of the most progressive business men of the county. He is proi)riet(»r of
the Argentine Light & Power Company, is also still heavih' interested in the
milling business and buys and sells grain and beans in large quantities.

On June 12, 1908, D. R. Stiles was married to Clara \''. Starring, daugh-
ter of John ' '. and Lena B. Starring, of Clarkston, Michigan, and to this

224 GENESKE COLNTV. MICIIIGAX.

uniiiii l\\(j cliildrcn li;i\e hei-n Ixirn. luiiersuii j., wIki is atten(lin<^ scliooi. and
l'",velyn H,, tlie haln-.

iVilitically, -Mr. Stilfs is a Democrat. iM-atcrnally. he is a inenii>ei- of
(rdelmri;- l.odj^e Xo. 112, Knights of Pythias.

101 IX 1. SLl':i:.M.\X.

It is not the kind of work, hnt the kind of spirit with whicli it is done
that di,<;-niries and exalts human service, 'i'his is a thought tlial should al-
ways put heart into every worker, put glow and cheer into his ser\ice and
Jill him with a large degree of satisfaction in doing the work that nature
seems to have, in a way, appointed liini. John J. Sleeman, for many years a
carriage "manufacturer, and the present postmaster at Linden, is a man who
gets satisfactipn out of his daily tasks and therefore his work has not only
always been well done, hut to him life is worth living.

Mr. Sleeman was born in London, Ontario, October 14, 1845, ^"<J '* ''
son i:)f William and Catherine (Hicks,) Sleeman. John Hicks, the maternal
grandfather, was born in De\on. Fngland, and married Grace JoUiffe, also a
nati\e of England. When twenty-one years old he went into the revenue
department of the government, in which he served until superannuated. He
removed with his family to London, pro\ince of Ontario, Canada, in an
early day. He was a member of the Episcopal church. Grandfather John
Sleeman was born near Devon. England, and his wife, Mary Watts, was also
a nati\o of that countr\-. They de\'oted their entire li\es to farming in their
nati\e lantl. They were meml)ers of the I'^iiscop.'il church. John Sleeman.
the great-grandfather, was ,1 son of William Sleeman. The father of the
subject came to Canada alone alnnit 1838. settling at London, Ontario, where
he spent practically all of the rest of his life on a farm, which he developed
from a wild state, through hard work and perseverance. His death occurred
in 1873. ^t the age of .sixty-four years. His wife came to Canada with her
parents when young in years. Her death occurred in 1900. To William
Sleeman and wife eight children were born, named as follow: Mary, Grace,
John J. {the subject). A\'illiam, Jr., Thomas, C.ilhcnne, flarry (deceased)
and Charles.

John J. Sleeman was educated in the public and high schools of Lon-
don, Ontario, and when a young man he learned the carriage-maker's trade,
which he followed until apjiointed postmaster at Linden. July 14. K)!^. He

^^^

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

225

came to Linden in the year 1870. He became a highly skilled workman and
did a good business as carriage maker. As postmaster his services have been
entirely satisfactory to the people and the postoffice department. Politically,
he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order, including the
chapter, having been a Royal Arch Mason for forty-five years. His wife
is a member of the Congregational church. He is a well-informed man,
especially in history, being a great reader.

Mr. Sleeman was married, Decmeber 2^, 1874. to Ella Tilden, who was
born in Saline, Michigan, February 22, 1857, a daughter of Lemuel K. and
Lorinda (Lapham) Tilden, natives of Monroe county, New York, the
father's birth occurring there in 1835. They removed to Linden, Genesee
county, Michigan, about fifty years ago and here established their future
home in Linden, both dying in 1892. They were members of the Baptist
church. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Mary
Elizabeth, who married Charles G. Marshall, of Grand Rapids, Michigan,
and they have one child, Tilden S. Marshall; Blythe R. Sleeman, who is a
practicing physician in Linden, married Rose Dawson, and they have one
child, Robert D. Sleeman.

J. D. SKINNER.

\Vhile J. D. Skinner, of Argentine township, does not seem to have
specialized on any one phase of agriculture, as many are now doing, he has
studied all carefully and has made a success as a general farmer. His
neighbors might do well to observe his methods in many lines. He was born
in the above named township and county, November i, 1874, and is a .';on of
Jepthae and Caroline (Wilkinson) Skinner, the former of whom was born
in Dundas, Ontario, Canada, the son of Jepthae Skinner, also a native of
Canada. Caroline Wilkinson was born in Lincolnshire, England, where she
spent her early girlhood, being fourteen years of age when she came to
America with her parents, who located in Novi township, Oakland county,
Michigan, where she grew to young womanhood, met and married Mr.
Skinner, who had removed from Ontario to Ashland county, this state, with
his father. About three years after their marriage they came to Genesee
county, later locating in Argentine township on one hundred and sixty acres,
which was added to until they had an excellent farm of two hundred and
(15a)

226 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

forty acres. The country wa.s wild, wcMided and .spar.sely settled when they
settled in that incaht}' and Mr. Skinner had to cut a road through the tiniljer
to his land. He worked hard and ])ros[)ered, continuing to li\e on his
original place until he was sixty-two years old, when he retired from acti\e
life and renimed to Byron, where his death occurred. His widow returned
10 the okl homestead and is still li\ing. '1\) these jjarents seven children were
horn, namely: Truie, who died when four years of age: Hattie, who died
when nineteen years of age; Jeptha, who li\es in .Vrgentine townshii); J. I).,
the suhject of this sketch, and Bert, h'rank and r,eorge, who also live in
Argentine township.

J. D. Skinner grew up on the home farm and recei\-ed a common-school
education in the district school and in the Byron schools. He li\ed at home
until he was married on November 2^. i8g6, to Mary Iv Kidder, a daughter
of Wellington and l^lizal-^eth Kidder, .\fter his marriage he moved to his
farm of one hundred and forty-three acres, where he has since resided. By
diligence and good management he has increased his holdings until he now
owns an excellent farm of tw^o hundred and twenty-four acres and is suc-
cessfully carrying on general farming and stock raising. He has a good
home and numerous convenient outbuildings. He at one time owned three
hundred and four acres.

To Mr. and Mrs. Skinner one cliild has been born, a son, ( ieorge i'"rnest
Skinner, who is at home with his jiarents. Tolitically, Mr. Skinner is an
independent voter. He is a member of the Byron Baptist church, of which
he has been a deac(jn and active worker for the past four years.

WILLI. \M ]. KRWm.

In these modern days of worn soils, although we have the most imiiroved
labor-saving farm machinery, the business of farming demands brains more
than brawn, that our soils may be rescued from the wilderness of wasted
fertility that is stifling and depleting them. One of the successful farmers
of (ienesee county is William J. ]'",rwin, of Mundy town.ship. He was born
in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, .\ugust 30, 1861, a son of Kernes and
Nancy ( Olinger ) Erwin. The father was of Iri.sh descent. The mother
was a native of Pennsyhania. Kernes Krwin learned the blacksmith's trade
when a young man and worked at the same until about 1883, when he bought
a farm on wliicli he spent the rest of his life, d}ing on July 4, i8o(). His

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 22/

widow survived until ]\Iarch 8, 191 3, reaching an advanced age. To these
parents se\'en children were born, six of whom grew to maturity, namely:
William J., the subject of this sketch; John A., a blacksmith, who lives in
Pennsyh'ania; Samuel K., engaged in a rolling-mill at \'andergrift, Penn-
syh'ania ; Margaret, who married Milton St. Clair, a farmer, of Whitesburg,
Pennsylvania: .\. I... who lives in Pennsylvania, and Frank B., who also
lives in Pennsyh'ania.

William J- I->win received a common-school education and lived at-
home until he was twenty-four )ears of age. then came to Michigan, locating
at Grand Blanc, this c(jiuity. and hired out to Da\id \'an Tiflin, for whom
he worked six months; then worked for Joseph Eames, in the same locality,
for seven }ears ; then worked for David Palmer eight years. Saving his
earnings, he purchased the farm he now owns in November, 1899, and has
lived there ever since. His place consists of one hundred and twenty acres
and is well located in Mundy township. He has made a good living as a
general farmer and stock raiser.

On March 8, 1900, W-illiam J. Erwin was married to Belinda \\ ilson,
a native of New Jersey, from which state she came to this county when six-
teen years of age. Politically. Mr. Erwin is a Republican. Fraternally, he
is a member of Mund\- Lodge No. 504, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

S.^MUEL EDWARD SMITH.

The wanderlust, like a siren, calls to e\ery youth to forsake his ancestral
halls and hills and go out in quest of a better country. Alany have heeded
the simimons to their advantage, but perhaps more have found disappoint-
ment -and trouble. In such a county as Genesee that young man is fortunate
who has the sagacity to remain at home, as did Samuel Edward (known as
Ed) Smith, a farmer of Argentine township. He was born near where he
now resides on March 2, i86j, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Robin-
son) Smitli. The father was born in northern Ireland, from which country
he came as a young man to America, stopped awhile in New York state,
where he worked out on a farm, and there met and married Margaret Robin-
.son, \vho also was born in Ireland, but was of Scotch ancestry. When a
young girl she came with a sister to America, locating in the state of New
York. After their marriage Samuel Smith and wife came to Michigan,
locating on a farm in Grand Blanc township, Genesee county, and two years

228 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

later moved to Argentine township, buying a farm of eigiity acres, where
Albert Smith now lives. There the elder Samuel Smith prospered through
good management and, with the help of his sons, increased his holdings to
four hundred acres. He was one of the well-to-do farmers of this county
in his day and generation. He and his wife were the parents of nine chil-
dren, namely : Mary, who is the wife of William Jones, of Tuscola county,
Michigan: Philip, a farmer of Genesee county; Jane, wife of John F. West,
of Clayton township ; Catherine, who married William Ellison, both now
deceased ; James, w^ho lives on the old homestead ; Archie, who is in the state
of Washington: Samuel Edward, the subject of this sketch: Eliza, widow of
^^'i!liam L. Smith, of Argentine township, and Albert, who lives on the
home place. The parents of these children were Episcopalians, and the
father was a stanch Democrat.

Samuel Edward Smith received his education in the district schools and
worked on the home farm during the summer months. He lived at home
until he was thirtA-five years of age, then moved to his own farm of ninety-
four acres in Argentine township, where he spent four years. On April 9,
1901, when he married Annie Dodder, he moved to his present excellent
farm of two hundred acres, where he has since successfully carried on gen-
eral farming and stock raising. His wife is a daughter of Jacob S. Dodder,
who moved from Oakland county to Argentine township as a pioneer.

Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He is a past noble grand of
Linden Lodge No. 276, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a mem-
ber of the grand lodge of that order. He is active in the work of the lodge
and is one of the best known members of that fraternity in Genesee county.

CHARLES E. LILLTE.

One of the farmers of Argentine township who, by proper rotation and
fertilization, has been careful to prevent his soil from becoming thin, there-
fore causing his productive and well-kept place to yield abundant harvests
annuallv, is Charles E. Lillie, who, like many other citizens of the locality
of which this history deals, hails from the Empire state, his birth having
occurred in Elbridge, Onondaga county, New York, December 2-/, 1852.
He is a son of E. F. and Sarah (Gale) Lillie. both natives of the state of
New York, where they grew up and were married. The father was of
Scotch-Irish descent. After his marriage he settled on a farm in his native

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 229

county where he lived until i860, when he came to Michigan, locating in
Argentine township, this county, where he bought a farm of seventy-two
acres. Later he bought one hundred and sixty acres, and there he and his
wife spent the rest of their lives. Nine children were born to them, all of whom
grew to maturity, namely: William, who resides in Argentine township;
Pratt, who lives in Detroit; Charles E., the subject of this sketch; James,
who lives in Williamston, Michigan; Levi, who lives in Stockbridge, this
state; Frances, who married Chester Smith and is now deceased; George,
who died unmarried; Andrew, a shoemaker by trade, who is now deceased,
and Lucy, who died unmarried. E. F. Lillie was a shoemaker by trade,
which vocation he followed for a number of years. He was a Democrat,
was active in party affairs and held the office of highway commissioner for
several terms.

Charles E. Lillie was about eight years old when his parents moved from
New York to this county. He grew up on the home farm and was educated
in the district schools. He remained with his parents on the farm, taking
care of them in their old age. He bought out the other heirs to the home-
stead in Argentine township, which place he still owns. It consists of one
hundred and fifty-two acres, a part of which lies across the line in Shiawassee
county.

On December ?, 1875, Charles E. Lillie was married to Mary J. Cum-
mings, a daughter of Ira and Lydia Cummings. Her death occurred on
July 22, 1894. Two children were torn to that union, the first of whom
died in infancy, unnamed, and Olive, who is now the \^ife of Charles Bennett.

Politically, Mr. Lillie is a Democrat. He has sened as township con-
stable, and was deputy sheriff under Ed Russ for four years. He is a mem-
ber of Byron Lodge No. 349, Knights of the "Maccabees.

HARRY H. BASSETT.

Harry H. Bassett, vice-president and general manager of the Weston-
Mott Company at Flint, is a native of the state of New York and has been
a resident of Flint since the year 1907. He was born in the city of Utica,
New York, September 11, 1875, son of William L. and Mary (Babcock)
Bassett, natives of that same state, the fomier of whom spent his last days
in Flint and the latter of whom is still living there.

William L. Bassett was born on a farm, son of P. H. Bassett and wife,

230 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

also natives of New York state, who spent all their lives in that state, the
former li\ing to be ninety-two years of age and the latter, eighty-six. They
were the parents of nine children. George, William, Lucy, John, Dwight,
Evelvn, Harriet, Elizabeth and one who died young. William L. Basset
married Mary Babcock, who was born at Unadilla Forks, in Otsego county.
New York, daughter of Henry H. and Tammison Babcock, natives of that
same state, the former of whom was a merchant in that town and who were
the parents of six children, Lee, Herbert, Mary, Julia, Ella and Laura.
William L. Bassett early turned his attention to the manufacturing business
and was engaged as superintendent of plants for the manufacture of agri-
cultural ihiplements. at ITtica and Ilion, practically all of his active life. In
1910, upon retiring from business, he and his wife located in Flint, where
he died in October, 1914. he then Iieing seventy-eight years of age. His
widow, who still survives him, continues to make her home in Flint. She
is a member of the Universalist church and he was a Baptist. They were
the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this biographical .sketch
was the second in order of birth, the others being Tammison, who married
Dr. L. B. Palmiter, of New York City, and Conielia. who married E. R.
Knapp, of Flint.

Harry H. Bassett receiverl his schooling at Lltica and at Ilion, New
\'ork, and was graduated from the high school of the latter city with a state
academic certificate. He then began work for the Remington .\rms Com-
pan\' at Ilion and was connected with the factor}- and the ofifice of that com-
pau)- for fourteen years and six months, being gradually promoted until he
became assistant to the general manager. He then transferred his services
to the Weston-Mott Company at Utica, as assistant superintendent of that
comi)any's extensive plant at Utica, and when that concern was moved to
Flint in 1907 he became manager of works in the new plant, and has ever
since then made his home in Flint. In 19 13 Mr. Bassett was promoted to
the position of general manager of the company and in 1916 was elected
vice-president of the company, continuing as active general manager of the
|)lant, and is now thus occupied, one of the strongest and most influential
individual forces in the rapidly expanding industrial life of Flint. Mr.
Bassett is also a member of the board of three directors of the Weston-Mott
Company. That company is now employing more than two thousand two
hundred persons. Its chief output is automobile axles, hubs and rims and
the products of its great plant are sold in all parts of the world. Mr.
Bassett is a member of the Society of Automobile Engineers and has long
taken an active part in tlie affairs of that organization. Politically, he is

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 23 1

a l\i.'])ul)lican and, trateniail}-, is affiliated with the Masons and with the
l\li<s. lie is president of the Mint Country Chih and a member of the
Question Clnl).

Mr. Rassett has heen twice married. His first wife, who was Xina
Cole, daughter of Fred and T\o.se Cole, of Flint, died on August 17, 191 1.
To that union one child was Iwrn, a daughter, who died in infancy. On
Octolier 30, 1913, iMr. Bassett was united in marriage to Jessie M. Hood,
who was bom in Jackson, this state, daughter of Rodney Flood and wife,
nati\es of Michigan, the forn.ier of whom for years has been engaged in
the lumber business at Jackson. Mrs. Bassett's mother died in 1886. Mr.
and Airs. Bassett ha-e a very i)leasant home at 421 East street and take an
earnest interest in the general social and cultural activities of their home
town

TKPTHA SKINNER.

Conditions are so widely varied in the vast area of the Middle West
that is devoted to agricultural pursuits; the results desirable by both indi-
viduals and communities are so widely divergent, and the fact that most
profitalilc results t') one might mean iiositive loss to another, make any gen-
eral rules, laid down to cover the entire country in question, unsuited to
manv farmers. Each must work out his own problem as has Jeptha Skinner,
of Argentine township, this county. He was born in the neighboring county
of Oakland, August 13. 1871, and is a son of Jepthae and CaroHne (Wilkin-
son ) Skinner. The father was born in Ontario, Canada, and when four-
teen vears old came with his parents to Oakland county, Michigan. His
father was also named Jepthae, and the latter spent the rest of his life in
Oakland countv where his son, father of the subject of this sketch, grew to
maturitv and married Caroline Wilkinson, who was born in England, and
was a voung girl when her parents brought her to Michigan and settled in
Oaklanr! countv. There the parents of the subject of this sketch settled
after their marriage and engaged in farming until 1873 when they mo\'ed
to Crenesee county, buying one hundred and sixty acres in Argentine town-
shi]>, all wild land, which the father cleared and on which he established the
future home of the family, living there until 1903, when he and his wife
retired from active life and located at Byron, in the neighboring county of
Shiawassee, where his death occurred on March 13, 1913, and where his
widow is still living. Si-x children were born to them, namely: Hattie E.,

22^2 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

who died when twenty years of age, after devoting some time to school
teaching; Jeptha, the subject of this sketch, and J. D., Bert, Frank and
George, all living in Argentine township. The father of these children was
one of the most successful farmers in his community. Through his own
efforts he developed a farm from the wilderness, increasing its acreage to
two hundred and forty. He was a Republican and a Baptist.

Jeptha Skinner was two years old when his parents brought him from
Oakland county, and he grew up on the home farm and attended the district
schools in Argentine township and the Byron high school. He lived at home
until his marriage, September 12, 1900, to Tela E. Bishop, a daughter of
Henry and Charlotte Bishop. After his marriage he settled on his present
farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Argentine township, where he has
lived e\er since and has been very successful as a general farmer and stock
raiser. He has four children, namely: Harold, who is attending school in
Byron : Mary, who is attending the district schools ; Ruth, and Jeptha. the
baby.

Politically, ^Ir. Skinner is a Republican. He sened as highway com-
missioner from 1908 to 1 9 TO, inclusive, and for the past two years has Ijeen
a member of the tov>-n board and a justice of the peace.

WILLIAM H. HORTON.

The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch is essentially
a man of affairs, sound of judgment and far-seeing in what he undertakes.
Every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in gratify-
ing financial returns, while at the same time he has won and retained the
good will and confidence of his fellow men.

William H. Horton, watchmaker, jeweler and optician of Flint, Michi-
gan, was born in Atlas township, Genesee county, March 29, 1869, and is a
son of Carlton I. and Etta F. (Frost) Horton, also natives of Genesee
county, where they grew up, were educated and married and devoted their
active lives to general agricultural pursuits. When starting out in life the
father purchased a farm of one hundred seventeen and one-half acres, whicli
he cleared, improved and placed under a high state of cultivation anil on
uhich he reared his family. He subsequently purchased one hundred and
twehe acres additional, making a total of two hundred twenty-seven and
one-half acres of good land. He succeeded through his own indixidual ef-

WILLIAM H. HORTON.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 233

forts and became one of tlie leading farmers of his township. His death
occurred here in 1887, at the early age of forty-six years. His widow sur-
vived until 191 1, dying at the age of sixty-seven years. He held various
township offices and both were members of the Baptist church. They were
the parents of only two children, Sumner, who lives in the city of Flint, and
William H., of this review. Ira J. and Ruth Horton, the paternal grand-
parents of these children, were natives of New York state, whence they
came to Genesee county, Michigan, in an early day and located on a farm in
Genesee county, taking up government land, living in a rude log cabin for
some time. They cleared and developed their land and finally established a
comfortable home, in which they spent the rest of their lives, his death oc-
curring at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of five chil-
dren, namely : Mary, Newman, Carlton, Marvin and Charles. The mater-
nal grandparents, Jonathan Frost and wife, were also natives of the state
of New York. They were pioneers in Genesee county, Michigan, locating
on a farm in Atlas township, where they spent the rest of their lives, her
death occurring in middle life, his at a later period. They were parents of
four children, Etta, Rhoda, Emily and Ephraim. Grandfather Frost was
twice married, the last time to a Mrs. Haws, to which union one child was
born, Jennie Frost.

William H. Horton was reared on his father's farm in Atlas town-
ship, attended the district schools, also the Goodrich high school and, later,
a business college in Flint. Two years after that he began learning the
jeweler's trade and in 1890 established a business of his own at Clarkston,
Michigan, remaining there six and one-half years, then went on the road,
traveling for a jewelry house for fifteen years. During that period he was
interested in a jobbing business in Detroit — whole jewelry. In 1909 he sold
out and came to Flint, where he has since resided, although he continued to
travel two years for a Chicago house. He then began the manufacture of
steel tapes and rules in Flint, which he followed three years, selling out in
the spring of 1914, and the following October l>ought his present jewelry
business at No. 403 South Saginaw street, which he has since conducted in a
highly satisfactory manner, enjoying a good trade. He carries a large and
carefully-selected stock of jewelry, such as is found in modern jewelry
establishments, and also maintains well' equipped watch manufacturing and
repair departments, as well as an optical department.

Mr. Horton was married, October 19, 1890, to Pearl Smith, a daughter
of Fliram V. and Emma (Slade) Smith, who now live in Lansford, North
Dakota, and were parents of three children, Pearl, Nellie and Wilfred. The

234 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

paternal grandparents, James Smilli and wife, liatl four children, Hiram.
I^'rank, Nellie and May, and the maternal grandparents, Luther Slade and
wife, had two children, I-'.mma and Will. Mrs. Pearl Horton was a native
of jiay City, Michigan. She was a memher of the Episcopal chnrch. Her
death occurred in .\pril, 1006, at the age of thirty-three years. On Octol)er
.y, 1909, Mr. Horton married for his second wife, ]\Irs. .Mice Swinler,
widiiw of lulward Swinler and a daughter of John K. and Julia (Putnam)
\'an Tine. She was born in IHint, Michigan, where her parents were early
settlers, her father dealing in farm implements here for many years, and
here his death occurred in K)I4, at the age of eight\- }ears. Mrs. Van Tine
survi\es. To these parents three children were born, Frank, Edith and Alice.
The paternal grandparents of these children, John Van Tine and wife, were
early settlers in Genesee county, as were also the maternal grandparents, the
Putnams.

IV) Mr. Horton's first union two children were born, Beatrice and
]\lariririe. To his second union one child has been born, Alice Katherine.

Politically, Mr. Horton is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to
Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No.
15, Royal Arch Masons; Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Tem-
plar; Elf Khurafeh Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine, at Saginaw; also to Bay City Consistory, being a thirty-second-de-
gree Scottish-Rite Mason. Mrs. Horton belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
church.

WnXL\M H. LAHRING.

.\khough many belie\e to the contrary, "luck" plays a very imimportant
]jarl in the average man's career. We generally like to excuse our own
.sh(.rtC()P.-iings and account for the success of other men on the ground of
"luck." A fertilized soil, rotation of crops, well-fenced land, intelligently-
tilled fields, well-kept machinery, painted houses, convenient outbuildings
and blooded live stock are not the result of luck unless hard work, persist-
ently and intelligently directed, can be characterized as luck. William H.
Lahring, owner of "Sunnyside Farm." a fine place in Argentine township,
this county, has not depended on luck, but on industry and the exercise of
sound judgment for his success in life. He was born on the above-men-
tioned farm, November 8, 1870, and is a son of Lewis and Sally (\\'hite-
heail ) Lahring. The father was born in Germany, where he lived until he

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 235

was twelve years of age, when his widowed mother brought him to America.
After spending a short time in tlie state of Xew York tiiey came to Michigan,
locating near Holly, in Oakland county. They landed in this country with
little capital and had to work hard to get a start. Lewis Lahring presently
came to Genesee county and bought the farm in Argentine township, which
his son, AVilliam H. Lahring, now owns, becoming- owner of three hundred
and twenty acres there. Al;out ine years after locating there he married
Sally Whitehead and they spent the rest of their lives on that place, his death
occurring at the age of eighty-four years. To these parents six children
were born, three of whom died in infancy, and one after reaching maturity,
the only one now liA'ing besides the subject of this sketch being Luella ]..
wife of Ralph Collins, of Argentine township, this county.

William H. Lahring grew up on the home farm and received his edu-
cation in the district schools. He remained on the homestead which he now
owns, and which consists of four hundred acres, well improved and under a
fine state (^f cultivation, and on which he carries on general farming and
stock raising on an extensive scale. The place is known as "Sunnyside
Farm."

In December, 1807, \Villiam H. Lahring was married to Belle Wood
and to this union three children have been born. Caleb Lewis, Sally N. and
Catherine Ellen.

Mr. Lahring is living in the ^■illage of Byron, just across the line in
Shiawassee county. He votes independently. He formerly served two
years as township treasurer. Fraternally, he is a member of Byron I_x>dge
No. 80, Free and Accepted Masons: Diamond Chapter No. 139, Royal Arch
Masons, and of the lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
at Owosso.

WALTh:R MORRISON.

Farmers as a class are intelligent, industrious and economical, and
many <if them are men of good business judgment. Further, those who
have made a thorough study of the business side of farming know that it
is not an easy matter to make money on the farm. Walter Morrison, a
farmer of Clayton township, this county, looks well to the financial end of
farming. He was born in Maple Grove township, Saginaw county, Mich-
igan, August 15, 1876, and is a son of Frank and Emma (Flint") Morrison.
The father was born in Countv Antrim, in the north of Ireland,

236 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

from which country he immigrated to America when a young man — eigliteen
years of age — locating near Buffalo, New York, where he worked on a
farm and in the winter time attended an academy in Buffalo. He received
a good education, and remained in the state of New York six or seven
years, then came to Michigan, locating in Maple Grove township, Saginaw
county, when that locality was a vast forest, with only a clearing here and
there. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which he cleared and
improved in general, erecting a dwelling and suitable outbuildings, but pres-
ently sold that place and moved to a farm in that same township, where he
spent the rest of his life. His family consisted of six children, five of
whom are still living.

Walter Morrison grew up on the home farm. He received a good
common-school education and remained at home until he was twenty-one
years of age, when he moved to Venice township, in the neighboring county
of Shiawasse, v;here he worked on a farm for two years; then worked in
the town of Flint one year, at the end of which time he returned to country
life, buying a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Clayton township, this
county, where he has spent the past twelve years, and where he has been
engaged in general farming and stock raising. His place is known as
"Fairview Farm" and is well located and well tilled.

On June 19. 1901, Walter Morrison was married to May Augsbury, a
daughter of Hiram and Addie (Williams) Augsbury, a well known family
of Genesee count v, where Mrs. Morrison grew to womanhood and was
educated. P'olitically, Mr. Morrison is a Democrat. He served as town-
ship treasurer for two years, also three years as township clerk, and he
has been supervisor since 1914, which office he still holds. As a public
servant he has discharged his duties in an able and satisfactory manner.
Fraternally, he is a member of Lennon Lodge No. 537, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.

JOHN H. HOUTON, M. D.

Dr. John H. Houton, well-known physician at Flushing, is a native of
Michigan, born near Dearborn, in Wayne county. May 20, 1875, son and
only child of Henry and Mary (Stevenson) Houton, both now deceased.
Henry Hout(Mi was a native of Kentucky, a shoeiuaker by trade. He lived
to be about forty years of age and siient most of his active life in Detroit.
Michigan. Mary Stevenson was bnrn in Ohio and was married in Michigan.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 237

Doctor Houton received excellent scholastic training for the practice of
his profession. He obtained his early schooling in the Wa3-ne county public
schools and at the St. Johns high school, later attending school in Detroit
and afterward entering medical college. He completed the course and was
graduated from the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery in 1904.
In that same year he located at Flushing, where he ever since has been
engaged in the practice of his profession and has been quite successful. On
June 3, 1903, he was married to Lillian May James, who was born at Little
Current, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, November 25, 1881.

Doctor Houton was an interne at the emergency hospital for fourteen
months and worked his way through school entirely. He is a Royal Arch
Mason, a member of the blue lodge and the chapter in Flushing. He has an
elegant home in Flushing, one of the finest houses in the town.

CHARLES B. SIEGEL.

Charles B. Siegel, a prominent farmer and breeder of Durham cattle,
lives on his ninety-acre farm, four miles west of Flint, known as "Maple
Rest Farm." Mr. Siegel was born in Flint township on March 15, 1872,
and is the son of Christian and Augusta ( Schimmick ) Siegel, both natives
of Germany, born near the river Rhine. Both grew up in their native
country and were married there. Before coming to the United States in
1870, (Christian Siegel served three years in the German army. Upon com-
ing to this country they located in Flint, where Mr. Siegel worked for a
year in a sawmill, after which he was with WilHam Comfort for a year on
a farm in Flint township. He then rented a farm for twenty years, at the
end of which time he purchased the farm now owned by Charles B. Siegel
and it was there that he and his wife both died some years later. Augusta
Siegel died in 1892 and Christian Siegel on March 5, 1909. After the death
of his first wife Mr. Siegel married Maggie Frayner, who still lives in Clay-
ton township.

Christian and Augusta Siegel were the parents of the following chil-
dren: Charles B., the subject of this sketch; Emma, the wife of Philip
Bobine, of Flint; Otto, Fred, Edward, Birt and William, all of Flint; John,
who died in infancy; Lewis, who lives in St. Johns, and Ida, who is the wife
of George McClinchey, of Flint.

Charles B. Siegel grew to manhood on the farm where he now resides,

238 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

and recei\'ed his education in the schools of Fhnt township. lie remained
at home until June 3, 1891, at which time he married Angle, daughter of
Sebine Bockway and wife, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of
Canada. To that union two children were Ijorn, Alma Alay, the wife of
Ernst Burleson, of Swartz Creek, this county, and Mildred, who lives with
her sister. The mother of these children died on December 22. 191J, and on
X'o\emljer 17, IQ14, Mr. Siegel married Mrs. Ethel Isabelle ( Xorthcott I
Miller, who was born in Tippecanoe county. Indiana, on the fann where
I'urdue Uni\-ersity is now located, a daughter of David Jennings and Mary
Tane (Oden) Xorthcott. She lived there until she was eight years of age,
when the family moved to Big Rapids, this state, where she lived for seven
vears, or until the death of her niother. She then l^ecame a resident of Bay
( 'ity. where she married W. J. ^liller and lived for seven years, after which
she came to Flint, where she lived until her marriage to Mr. Siegel. By her
first marriage ]\lrs. .Siegel is the mother of the following children: Louise,
the wife of W. G. Crawford of Flint; Richard R., Irene, ^^'illiam \\". and
Lcona A.

Charles B. Siegel is a Republican and has serxed his township as high-
wav commissioner for two terms. For more than twenty years he has oper-
ated a threshing outtit in his neighborhood during the seasons.

ADELBERT W. CARRIER.

Onlv the most practical and experienced farmers are making any con-
siderable profit out of their business. Some e\en contend that most of the
monev made on the farm in recent years has l^een made, not by farming, but
liv the rise of prices on farm lands. Adelbert W. Carrier, of Clayton town-
shi]), this count}-, is making general farming pay, for he employs the most
modern methods of management. He was born in Gaines township, this
countx-. Mav 7, 1867, a son of George L. and Mariah W. (Warner) Carrier.
The father was a native of the state of New York and there spent his early
life, coming to Michigan when a young man, locating in Genesee county
before the time of the Tivil War. During the war he enlisted in Company
K, Fifth Michigan ("ax-alry, serving almost the entire duration of the con-
flict, at the close of which, having made an excellent record, he was honor-
ably discharged. Returning to Genesee county he married Mariah W. War-
n.er. a native of I'lymouth. Michigan, who had moved with her parents to

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 239

Gaines township, this country, when a girl. She received a good echication
and taught seventeen terms of school in Gaines township and in \'ernon
township over the line in Shiavvasse county.

George L. Carrier finally settled on a tract of one hundred and sixty
acres, where the town of Duffield now stands, and there he and his wife
spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring on Deceml>er ii, 1877. His
widow snrvixed thirty-seven years, dying at an advanced age on Fehruary
18, 1914. To these parents five children were born, namely: Adelbert \V.,
tlie subject of this sketch; A. G., who lives at Duffield, this county; Mary A.,
who married Archie L. Scott, of Flint, and who died in November, 1913;
I'red J., who li\es in San Francisco, California, and Lyman, who lives in
^\ ashington, D. C, where he is employed in the government .service.

.\delbert \V. Carrier grcAv up on the home farm and received his edu-
cation in the district schools of Gaines township. He left home when nine-
teen years of age and worked out as a farm hantl awhile. On March if),
1897. he married Lillian S. Woods, a daughter of Edward C. Woods, a
well known farmer of this locality. .After his marriage Mr. Carrier lived
one year at Duffield, then moved to Saginaw county, buying a farm there,
on which he lived until 191 2, when he moved to his present farm of one
hundred and twenty acres in Clajiion township, Genesee county, which place
he has improved in an up-to-date manner. He raises considerable li\ e stock
in connection with general farming.

Three children ha\'e been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carrier, Claude W.,
Delbert L. and Lester C. Politically, Mr. Carrier is a Republican, but is
not \ery active in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No.
^7^j, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Lennon, and is also a member
of the Knights of the Maccabees.

AUGUST C. STEL\DAAI.

August C. Steindam, a well-known antl substantial farmer of Flint
township, this county, and highwa}- commissioner for that township, is a
native of Prussia, but has been a resident of this country since he was fifteen
years of age, at which time, in 1881, his parents, Frederick and Mary (Sells)
Steindam, also natives of Prussia, came to the United States with their
family and settled on a farm in Ottawa county, Ohio, where they spent the
remainder of their lives. They were the parents of three children, Minnie,

240 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

the wife of William Alilbroth. of Ottawa county, Ohio; \Mlliam A., a farmer
in that same county, and August C.

Born on August 8, 1866, August C. Steindam was about fifteen years
of age when he came to this country with his parents in 1881. He remained
on the farm in Ohio with his parents until he was nineteen years old, when,
in 1885. he came to Michigan and located at Flint, where he was employed
in the factory of Durant and Dort for five years, at the end of which time he
began working on the Langgrith farm in Flint township, the farm on which
he now lives and where his wife was born, and after awhile assumed the
management of the farm, operating the same on a sharing basis, and after his
marriage established his home there and has since lived there, long having
been regarded as one of the most substantial farmers in that neighborhood.
;\Ir. Steindam is a Republican and has long given close attention to local
political affairs. In 191 3 he was elected highway commissioner for Flint
township, and has since been serving in that important public capacity.

On December 20, 1899, August Steindam was married to Grace Lang-
grith, who was born on the farm on which she still lives, September 30, 1865,
daughter of F'rederick and Elizabeth (Burton) Langgrith, the former a
native of Germany, and the latter of whom was born on the ocean while her
parents were on their way to this country from England. She was reared
on the same farm in Flint township and received her schooling in the schools
of that neighborhood. I\Ir. and Mrs. Steindam are members of the Lutheran
church, and take a warm interest in the various beneficences of same, as
well as in all neighborhood good works, and are helpful in the work of pro-
moting all measures having to do with the advancement of general conditions
in their home community. Mr. Steindam is a member of the Knights of the
Maccabees and takes an acti\'e interest in the afifairs of both of these organiza-
tions.

^^■ILLL\M VERNON SMITH.

\\'illiam \'ernon Smitli, a well-known attorney-at-law at F'lint, with
offices in the Paterson building, and one of the most competent authorities
on the history of the Indians in the state of Michigan, is a native of the
Empire state, having been born in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, New
York, August 6, 1857. He is a son of Buel G. and Lucy E. (Thornton)
Smith, both natives of that same state, who were the parents of eight chil-
dren who grew to maturity, of whom the subject of this sketch was the

C^c^OcXcA^ l^1^f^^>^^^

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 24I

fifth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Emma, wife of Chester
('. Pingre}-, of Delevan, Xew York; L}dia H., deceased, who was the wife
of Dr. l-'rancii J. Cheney; Re\-. Buel R. Smith, pastor of a Baptist church at
Tully. Xew York; Mora K., wife of I\lason C. Langmade, of East Turora,
Xew York; Jasper E., of Glean, Xew York; Jessie E., wife of Edward
Rowland, of I'ranklinville, Xew ^'ork, and Cora E., widow of Byron C. Pin-
gre\-, of Xew ^'ork City, a teacher of biology.

Buel G. Smith was the son of Reuben and Lydia (Remington) Smith,
the former a native of New PJampshire and the latter of Vermont, who
spent their last days in Cattaraugus county, New "S'ork. They were the par-
ents of four children, Enos, Henrietta, Buel G. and one who died in infancy,
and the first two of whom died unmarried. Reuben Smith was one of the
eleven children l;orn to Abraham and Delilah (AVilley) Smith, the former a
son of Abraham Smith, a soldier of the American Revolution, and the latter
a daughter of Barnabus \Villey, also a Revolutionary soldier. The younger
Abraham Smith also served in the patriot army during the Revolutionary
War, lie and his father being members of the same company and regiment.
Buel G. Smith was reared on the home farm in Cattaraugus county. New
York, and during his young manhood was a school teacher. After his mar-
riage he engaged in farming in his home county and was thus engaged the
rest of his life, his death occurring when he was sixty -two years of age. He
was acti\-e in pul)lic affairs and had held various township offices. He and
his wife were acti\'e members of the Universalist church. His widow sur-
vi\'ed him many years, being eighty-four years of age at the time of her
death. She was a daughter of Richard and Eleanor ( \^'ood ) Thornton, the
former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont, both of whom
spent their last da}s in Cattaraugus county, New York, he dying at the age
of se\enty-six years and she at the age of ninety-five They were the par-
ents of seven children, namely: Miranda, wife of Stephen Langmade;
Phoeh-e, wife of Ezekiel Pierce; Richard, Samuel, Lucy E., and Emeline and
Adaline, twins, both of whom died in young womanhood. Richard Thorn-
ton was a son of Samuel Thornton, a Revolutionary soldier, a native of
Massachusetts and a direct descendant of the John Thornton, who was one
of the co-laborers with Roger Williams in the founding of the Providence
Plantations. His wife's father, Barnard Wood, also was a Revolutionary
soldier, the family of Buel G. Smith thus ha\'ing an unusual number of lines
of Re\olutionary descent.

William V. Smith was reared on the paternal farm in Cattaraugus
(i6a)

242 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

county, Xew York. He supplemented his schooling in the district schools
by a course in Tenbroeck Academy and then taught school for seven terms,
after which he entered upon the study of law and on June 17, 1881, at
Buffalo, New York, was admitted to the bar. He opened an office for the
practice of his profession at Olean, the chief city in his native county, and
for t\venty-fi\'e years was engaged in practice there. In the fall of 1905 Mr.
Smith came to Michigan and located at Flint, where he has since been en-
gaged in practice. Mr. Smith is an "independent" as to his political views.
During hi.s residence at Olean he served as a memljer of the school board and
was also a member of the civil service commission while there.

William Y. Smith is the atxthor of the ethnographic chapters of this
history. Mr. Smith is a member of the Seneca nation of Indians by adop-
tion and his Indian name is Gar-ay-gar-yo. In the illustration accom-
panying this sketch he holds a Ga-go-sa, or medicine face of the Senecas.
The one illustrated is one of three or four known antiques in existence.
A great many traditions and a great many folk tales of the Iroquois refer
to these symbols of the "flying faces" that are often seen by the Indians
in the sky, and are ominous of good or evil fortune. Those with the red
face and regular features are promises of good, and those with black cheeks,
irregular features and distorted mouths are ominous of impending evil.
It is thought that the chapters of this history relative to aboriginal occu-
pancy of Genesee county, and incidentally of eastern Michigan, are the most
complete and reliable that have appeared in any history of the region in
question.

On November 16, 1881, William \'. Smith was united in marriage to
Dora E. Allen, who was born in the \illage of Machias, Cattaraugus county,
New York, Deceml^er 28, 1857, daughter of Andrew and Elvira (Bush)
Allen, natives of New York state, both of whom are now deceased, who
were the parents of ti\e children, one son and four daughters. Of these
children, Mrs. Smith was the second in order of birth, the others being as
follow: Richard Allen, who married Minerva W^ilder; Rene, wife of George
E. Spring; Aha L., wife of Harold S. King, and Lina M.. unmarried.
Andrew Allen was one of the five children Ijorn to his parents, Chene}- and
lane (I.vtlc) .\llen, natives of New York state, and his wife was one of the
six children born to her parents, Samuel S. and Maria (Marvin) Bush, the
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York.

To William \'. and Dora E. (Allen) Smith two children ha\e lieen
l)orn, ]'"lizaheth Allen Smith, a teacher in the Flint high school, who was

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 243

graduated from the Olean high school and Cornell University and is now
taking a post-graduate course in the University of California, and Allen T.
Smith, a graduate of the Flint high school and of the law department of the
University of Michigan, who is now conducting an advertising agency in
Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend the Presbyterian church and take a proper
interest in the various social and cultural activities of their home town. Mr.
Smith is a member of Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons,
and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.

DELOS ERNEST NEWCOMBE.

Delos Ernest Newcombe, city clerk of Flint, whose popularity in his
home community is attested by the fact that he has been successively re-elected
to that office since 1902, is a native son of Flint and has lived in that city
practically all his life. He was born on July 22, 1872, son of Thomas and
Eliza (Gayton) Newcombe, both natives of England, born in Devonshire,
who came to this country on their wedding trip in 1849 and settled at Flint,
where they spent the remainder of their lives. Not long after locating at
Flint Thomas Newcombe was made sexton of Glenwood cemetery, a position
he held for some years, at the end of which time he bought a farm of eighty
acres in Burton township, which he operated, although continuing to make
his home in Flint. He and his wife lived to ripe old ages and died within
two days of each other, her death occurring on February 25, 1903, she then
Ijeing seventy-seven years of age, and his, February 27, of that same year,
he then being eighty-two years of age. They were the parents of nine chil-
dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is now the only one living in this
county, the others being as follow: Flenrietta, deceased, who was the wife
of C. E. Baldwin; Frederick C, of Ann Arbor, this state; Herbert G., of
Shawnee, Oklahoma, and five who died young.

Following his graduation from the Flint high school in 1890 Delos E.
Newcombe became employed in the office of the Flint Globe and went on up,
through the circulation department, to the position of bookkeeper and then
city editor of that paper. From the Globe he went to the Detroit Journal,
but presently was called laack to Flint to take charge of the circulation depart-
ment of the Daily News and was thus connected with that paper until his
election to the office of city clerk in April, 1902. In 1903 he was re-elected
and since that date Air. Newcoml^e has been appointed city clerk each year

244 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

by the common council and durint,^ that long period of public service has
done much for the advancement of the general interests of his native town.
He is a Republican and has gi\-en close attention to the political affairs of the
city and county.

On November 15, 1899, Delos E. Newcombe was united in marriage to
Maud E. Sanders, who was born at Flint in March, 1870, daughter of David
H. and Eugenia A. ( Farley ) Sanders, natives of New York state, who came
to Michigan many years ago and are still living at Flint. IMr. Sanders being
a retired merchant of that city. Mrs. Newcombe is the only survivor of the
four children born to her parents, her sister, Ella, having died at the age of
seventeen years and two brothers in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Newcombe
three children have been born, Gayton, Alletta and Delos Ernest, Jr. Mr.
and Mrs. Newcombe are members of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Newcombe is a Scottish Rite Mason, affiliated with the con-
sistor\- at Detroit through membership in Genesee Lodge No. 174 at Flint,
and is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks.

GEORGI-: E. TAYLOR.

Like so many of the representative citizens of Genesee county, George
E. laylor, well known farmer of Argentine, came from the state of New
York. He had the sagacity to see in this locality the splendid opportunities
for the agriculturist, and by industry and good management he has succeeded
admirably in his chosen vocation. He was born in Genesee county. New
York. May 16, 185Q, and is a son of George and I\Iary (Altoff) Taylor.
The father was born in Lincolnshire. England, and when a young man came
with his parents to the United States, the family settling in the state of New
York, where the parents spent the rest of their lives. ]\Iary Altoff. also a
nati\e of Lincolnshire, England, was a young girl when she came with her
parents to the United States, the family also locating in the state of New
York, where the parents spent their last days. After their marriage George
and Mary Taylor settled in Genesee county. New York, where they remained
fifteen years, removing with their family in 1868, to Oakland county, Mich-
igan, living at Fenton, but operating a farm just over the line in Oakland
countv, about nine years: then moved to Genesee county. Upon moving to
this county George Taylor rented the Leonard farm in Argentine township
for ten \-ears, then bought a farm of about three hundred acres, on which

GHM->I-1- C(Ji;NTy, MICHIGAN. 24=;

he spent the rest of his hfe, dying on May 4, 1904. His widow survives
and hves in Argentine village. He became prosperous and owned a total of
six hundred and twenty acres. He engaged in farming and stock raising
on an extensive scale, shipping large numbers of sheep to market annually.
His family consisted of six children, namely : Eliza, who makes her home
with her mother; Martha, the wife of C. L. Hudson, of Holly; George E.,
the subject of this sketch: Albert, who died Avhen eighteen months of age;
William, who lives in Argentine village, and Alice, the wife of Erank Suther-
land, of Elint.

George E. Taylor grew up on the home farm and received his education
in the district schools and in Fenton. He lived at home until December 14,
i88j, when he married Elora Baxter, who was born in Oakland county, this
state. After their marriage they rented the Leonard place in Argentine
township, for live years, although ]\Ir. Taylor had purchased one hundred
and ninety acres al^out that time, which place he still owns and on which he
resided until 1905, when he moved to Argentine \illage where he has since
resided, owning a fine b.ome there. He has managed well and employed
modern methods in his genera' farming and stock-raising business and now
owns three hun.dred acres in one place on the state road west of Argentine,
al>o another of two hundred and twenty acres near the village.

To ]\lr. and Mrs. Taylor one child has been bom, a son, Adelbert E.
Taylor, who received excellent educational advantages, having passed through
the grade schools and the Linden high school and then taking a business
course at Ypsilanti Xornial. He married Vera Austin, a daughter of B. J.
Austin, of Argentine, and now lives on one of his father's farms.

"Sir. Taylor is a Democrat and has long been active in local politics.
He was township treasurer for two years, highway commissioner for two
years, justice of the peace one term and has also served on the township
board of review, lie is a memlx?r of the Argentine Gleaners, and of the
Knishts of the Maccabees.

OSCAR \\TLLL\M MORRISH.

Li connection with general farming, many farmers are now specializing
in some one crop or on some specific breed of live stock, and thev often
become experts in their chosen line. They ought to be made the experts
or advisers of their communities, so that their skill can Ije brought onto all

246 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

tlic farms of their vicinity. If this plan could be carried out, better and
larger crops would be raised, as well as a finer and more profitable grade of
live stock. Oscar William Morrish, of Clayton township, this county,
makes a specialty of thoroughbred Durham and Jersey cattle and has done
much to encourage the breeding of better cattle in this county. He was
born on the farm where he still lives on October 29, 1867, and is a son of
Thomas and Sarah (Brown) Morrish, and a grandson of Thomas Morrish,
Sr., a pioneer of this region, who was a native of Devonshire, England, and
who brought his family to the United States when his son, Thomas, was
nine years of age, the family locating in Clayton township, this county, when
the country roundabout was practically a wilderness. They cleared a farm,
erected primitive buildings and there the grandfather spent the rest of his
life, becoming well-to-do through his industry and good management. He
was something of a financier. He learned the carpenter's trade when a
young man, which vocation he followed more or less for many years.
Thomas Morrish, Jr., grew up on the home farm in Clayton township and
attended the early-day district schools. He began working out as a farm
hand during the summer when thirteen years old, but continued in school
in winter time. He was a well-read man, having continued practically
a student all his life. When a young man he purchased seventy- four
acres, which he moved onto at the time of his marriage. His first union
was with Dimis Calkins, a sister of Daniel Calkins, her family having come
to Genesee county in 1840, settling on what is now the Calkins farm. To
Mr. Morrish and his first wife two children were born, Wilbur, who died
in Wyoming in 191 1, and Eunice, who died in infancy. The second wife
of Thomas Morris was Sarah Brown, a native of Genesee county, her par-
ents having located here in an early day, coming from the state of New-
York. Three children were born to the second marriage, namely: Arza,
who lives in Portland, Oregon; Oscar W., the .subject of this sketch, and
Irving, who was killed while working in the woods.

Oscar W. Morrish grew up on the home farm and received a common-
school education. When twenty-two years of age he went to Portland,
Oregon, and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres near there and remained
on the land until 1901, when he returned to Genesee county. He owns one
hundred and twenty acres in section 7, Flint township, and is also looking
after seventy-two acres in section i, Clayton township, which belongs to his
brother. He keeps a fine herd of thoroughbred Durham cattle and a high
grade of Jersey cattle.

In Oregon, in 1898, Oscar W. Morrish was married to Mrs. Maud

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 247

(Dixon) Bowman, a daughter of Henry Dixon, and to this union five chil-
dren have been born, namely : Thomas, who is attending school ; Sarah, who
died when two years of age; Ruth and Rena, twins, who are attending
school, and Wilbur, the baby. By her first marriage Mrs. Morrish is the
mother of a son, George H. Bowman, who is at home.

Politically, Mr. Morrish is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member
of the Free and Accepted Masons at Flushing and of the Maccabees lodge.

J. R. CLARK.

J. R. Clark, commissioner of highways of Argentine township, this
count}-, and one of the best-known and most progressive farmers of that
part of the county, owner of a fine farm of ninety acres situated on rural
route No. 2, out of Linden, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this
state all his life, a continuous resident of Genesee county since the days of his
infancy. He was born on a farm in the neighboring county of Lapeer,
October 22, 1877, son of James B. and Lucy (Converse) Clark, the former
of whom was born in that same county and the latter at Ashtabula, Ohio,
who were married in Michigan and began housekeeping in Lapeer county,
where they lived until they came to Genesee county in April, 1878, settling
on a farm in Argentine township, where James B. Clark spent the remainder
of his life, a useful and influential citizen, his death occurring in 1909, and
where his widow is still living. They were the parents of four children, of
whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others
being Nina M.. who was graduated from the Fenton Normal School, then
became a graduate nurse and is now pursuing her profession at Benton Har-
bor; Gertrude B., who is at home with her mother, and Vern D., a resident
(■f Byron, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee.

J. R. Clark was but six months old when his parents came to Genesee
county from Lapeer county and he grew to manhood on the home farm in
Argentine township, receiving his schooling in the district schools in that
neighborhood and supplementing the same by a course in the commercial
department of the Valparaiso (Indiana) University, following which for
three years he was connected with a construction company at Chicago.
.-Vfter his marriage in 1900 he established his home on the farm on which
he is now living and has lived there ever since, he and his family being very
pieasantl}- situated. He has done well in his farming operations and his

248 GENESEE COL-NTY, ^[ ICIIIGAN.

farm is well inii)r(ived and prohtalily cultivaled. Mr. Clark is a Repuiilican
anil tor two vears served as treasurer of his home township. In 191J he wa-
clected hii,diwav commissioner for the township and is still serving in that
capacity.

.Mr. Clark has heen married twice. ( )n January 1, 1900, he was united
in marriage to Sadie Hatt and to that union two sons were horn. J. B. and
I'.niest. The mother of these children died on May 9, 1904, and on Decenilier
-.';> I9I3' ^^^- Clark married Elsie Hutchison, to which imion f)ne child has
hcen horn, a son, Howard A., born in 1914. The Clarks have a very pleas-
,-i.nt home and take a proper part in the general social activities of their neigh-
l-.orhood, helpful in the work of promoting all agencies for the advancement
of the welfare of the comnnmity in which they live. Mr. Clark is a Royal
.\rch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the "blue" lodge at Byron
and of the chapter and the commandery at b'enton, and takes a warm interest
in Masonic affairs.

WILLIAM W. MOUXTAIX.

I"or many years William ^\'. ^Mountain, president and general manager
of the Mint X'arnish Works, has been regarded by the people of Genesee
count}- as one of the most progressive business men of the city of I'lint,
whose interests he has ever had at heart and sought to promote in ever_\- legiti-
matewa}- possible.

Mr. Mountain was born at Howell, Livingston county, [Michigan,
Xovember 2, 1862. He is a son of Robert S. and Ceceha ( Purden 1 .Moim-
tain. both natives of the state of New "^'ork. where they spent their earlier
years. Thev removed to Michigan in an early day, being among the ])ioneers
of Livingston county, where IMr. ^Mountain engaged in contracting for many
years, finally removing to Logansport. Indiana, where his death occurred in
1898, at the age of fifty-five years. During the Civil War he enlisted in a
Michigan regiment and saw over three years service in the L'nion ;irni\-.
His widow died in Indiana in 190.V To these parents three children were
born.

William W. ?\Iountain, who was the eldest child, grew to manhooil in
Livingston countv and received a good practical education in the schools of
Howell, later entering DePauw University of Indiana, from which he was
15-raduated. l']ion leaving college he entered the \arnish business as salesman
for the Murphv X'arnish l\impany of Cleveland, Ohio, and he lias practi-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 249

cally known no other line of hn^iness, the \-arious phases of which he nias-
tcied in a comparatively short lime. .Vfter remaining with the above-named
concern for a period of seven years, as salesman, he accepted a position as
manager of the varnish department of the Sherwin-Williams Company, the
fan-.ous paint and varnish manufacturers of ("leveland, which position he
held until his removal to Mint, AJichigan, where he found similar emplov-
nient with the Flint A'arnish Works. He gave eminent satisfaction to all
three concerns and from salesman he was promoted to various positions until
he became president and general manager of a million-dollar corporation,
which position he now liold'^. He has greatly improved the local plant in its
N-arious departments and inaugurated new and better systems, vastly increas-
ing the business of the concern the past few years.

The Mint \'arnish \\'orks is (3ne of the best knox^-n manufacturing con-
cerns of its kind in the ccnintry and is one of the largest industries in south-
ern Michigan. Its paid-u]) capital is one million dollars and the annual xalue
of its products will niore than double that amount. The factory is modern
in ever}- iletail, up-to-date apparatus having been installed in every depart-
r.'.ent. and e\-ery possible attention given to the health and welfare of the
one hundred and sixty persons employed in the plant, sixteen in the office
staff and eighteen on the sales force. The factory covers several blocks and
is composed of substantial, convenient four-story brick and concrete Imild-
ings, supplied with excellent railroad facilities for the distribution of its
[jroducts, which are of such a superior quality that they find a very ready
n:arket over a ver}' extensi\e territory.

Mr. Mountain \\as married at Howell, Michigan, April 19, 1892, to
Julia Huck, a (.laugiiter of Leonard Huck and wife, the father being now
deceased. The famil}- was long prominent at \\'est Howell, where Mrs.
Mountain grew to womanb.ood. She was gi\-en excellent educational ad-
vantages.

The union of }.lr. and IMrs. Alountain has been graced by the birth of
two children, namely: ]Mrs. ]\Iaude Edgecomb, who was born in Howell,
lives in Flint, and has one child, ^Villiam B. Edgecomb. and Grace M.
Mountain, born at Connersxille, Indiana, who was graduated from Akeley
Hall, Grand Haven, and later attended Thomas's Training School in De-
trcjit. Both these daughters ha\'e received careful home and educational
training and are favorites with the circles in w-hich they move.

Politically, Mr. Mountain is a Republican, standing for clean politics
and good men in office. He is prominent in the Masonic order, having at-
tained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite; he is also a Knight

J50 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Templar, a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine and is exalted ruler of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks.

WILBERT E. MORRISH.

One of the succes.sful farmers of Clayton township who adopts twen-
tieth-century methods is W'ilbert E. Morrish, who, unlike many of his con-
temporaries, has been content to remain in his native locality, believing, and
rightly, too, that as good opportunities existed at his very door as any-
where. He was born <in the farm where he still lives, March 6, i860, and
is a son of William and Caroline ( Calkins ) Morrish. The father was born
in Devonshire, England, and when about eight years of age he came with
his father, Thomas Morrish, to the United States, proceeding at once to
Alichigan and locating in Clayton township, Genesee county, one mile north
of the present Morrish farm, and there Thomas spent the rest of his days
and \Mlliam grew to manhood. After his marriage William Morrish set-
tled on wild land, which he cleared. The farm then consisted of sixty
acres, but was later added to until he owned one hundred acres. His
wife, Caroline Calkins, was l:)orn in the state of New York, and when a
girl came with her parents to Michigan, the family settling in Genesee
C(nmty, where she grew up. William Morrish and wife spent their mar-
ried life on the home farm there, his death occurring in 1879. She passed
away in 1867. Five children were born to them, namely: Ida A., who
is the wife of Doctor Beals, a physician of New Mexico; Wilbert E., the
subject of this sketch; Arthur W., who is a large ranchman at Ft. Collins,
Colorado: Sydney J., who is engaged in the hardware business in Oberlin,
Kansas, and Dimis C, who lives in Deming, New Mexico.

Williert E. Morrish lived on the home farm until he \vas nineteen years
old, being for some time in charge of the same, and received his education
in the district schools and in the Flint high school. On October 28, 1887,
he married .Mice E. \'ernon, a daughter of Enoch and Hannah Vernon,
both natives of England, who came to Michigan when young and located
in Genesee county, where they married, and established their home in Flush-
ing township, where Enoch Vernon spent the rest of his life and where
his widow is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrish three children have
been born, one of whom died in early life, and Iva G. and \'ernon W.
Iva G. ]\Iorrish, who married W. C. Thatcher, of Clayton township, was

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 25I

well educated, her schooling including a course in the county normal, and
she taught four terms of school in Clayton township. Vernon W. Morrish
was graduated from the Flushing high school, after which he took a two-
\ear course in the Michigan Agricultural College. He now lives on the
home farm, which he helps to operate. He married Florence E. Whitney,
a graduate of the Swartz Creek high school, who later was graduated from
the county normal, after which she taught one year in Clayton township
and one year in Mount Rose township.

^Vilbert E. Morrish owns a well-improved and productive farm of one
hundred and forty acres. In connection with his general farming, he makes
a specialty of breeding Shropshire sheep and Shorthorn cattle, having kept
fancy stock for breeding purposes during the past eighteen years, and has
done much to encourage the raising of better live stock in his township.

Mr. Morrish is a Democrat. He was township treasurer for two terms,
and from 1894 to 1900, inclusive, was township supervisor. He again served
as superintendent in 1901 and 1902. He was at one time nominated by his
party for county treasurer and at another time for the office of state repre-
sentative from this district. He has long been active in public affairs and
is one of the leaders of his party in Genesee county. He is a Royal Arch
Mason, a member of Flushing Lodge No. 223, and of the chapter of that
place.

JOHN A. MILLER.

John A. Aliller, one of the well-known and progressive farmers and
stockmen of the western ]5art of Genesee county, once a resident and post-
master of Swartz Creek, one of the owners of the bank at that place, man-
ager of the Calkins farm, proprietor of considerable real estate interests and
otherwise actively identified with the work of developing the community in
which he was born and in which he has lived all his life, is a native son of
Genesee county, a member in the third generation of the Miller family which
was so prominent in the development of the Swartz Creek section of the
county in the early days hereabout, and has consequently been a witness to
and a participant in the wonderful development that has marked this region
within the past half century. He was born on the old Miller farm in Clay-
ton township, January 11, 1865, son of Enos Miller and a grandson of
Adam Miller, the latter of whom was the first settler in Clayton township
and the fou.nder of the community so long known as the Miller settlement.

2^2 CK.Vr.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

rhe fdrerunner of the present well-estaljlished and prosperous Swartz Creek
:_()ninuinity.

It was in territorial days, previous to 1836, that Adam Aliller came
out into the wilds of the then Territory of Michigan and entered from the
government a section of land where the village of Swartz Creek is now
situated. Others of the same family later came out here from Xew York,
following the example of their pioneer kinsman, and the Miller settlement
early took its place as one of the most progressive communities in this part
of the state. Adam Miller's family retained its substantial lead in the com-
munity and representatives of that family have l3een leaders in the \arious
activities of that neighborhood to this day. Enos ^Miller, one of the sons
of the pioneer, Adam ^Miller, had six children, four of his sons, C. J. Miller.
W. L. Miller, John A. Aliller and A. T. Miller being the founders of the
Swartz Creek Bank. John A. ^filler grew to manhood on the home farm
and married Xellie Calkins, who was born in 1878, the daughter and only
child of Daniel E. Calkins, also a member of one of the oldest families in
the western part of Genesee county, his father, Caleb Calkins, having come
here as early as 1840 and entered the southwest quarter of section 12 in
Clavton township, where he became one of the leaders in that community.
Daniel E. Calkins was an excellent farmer and stock raiser, a good manager,
and became one of the most substantial residents of the county, the owner
of as much as five hundred acres of land. His old home farm of three hun-
dred acres in the Swartz Creek neighborhood is now being managed b\- John
.\. Miller, who, in addition to his general farming, has for years given much
attention to the feeding of cattle and sheep, feeding about two thousand
sheep on that place each year. Mrs. Eunice D. Calkins, widow of Daniel E.
Calkins, still resides in the family home which she helped to luake one of the
finest in the county.

In addition to his extensi\e fanuing interests and considerable real
estate interests, Mr. ^Miller has for years been interested in the banking busi-
ness at Swartz Creek, he and his brothers having, in 1906, organized the
Swartz Creek Bank, and he retains his interest in that institution, an active
memljer of the board of directors of the same. This bank is a private insti-
tution, incorporated with a capital of ten thousand dollars, and the present
officiarv of the same is as follows: President, C. J. ]\Iiller; vice-president,
Del Davison; cashier, Frank P. \\lldman; assistant cashier, W'ilbert L.
Miller, and directors, Charles Chambers, John A. Miller, Enos M. Miller
and A. T. Miller. Mr. Miller is a Republican and during the administration
(jf President Harrison served as postmaster at Swartz Creek. He is a mem-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

253

her of the Alasonic lodge at Swartz Creek and takes a warm interest in
Masonic affairs. To Mr. and Mrs. Aliller six children have been born, Daniel
C, Dorothy J., Reo E., John .\rthur, ICunice D. and \\'ilbert E., all of whom
are still in school.

CLARENCE THOMAS.

The business of farming is to make the farm jjroduce the utmost pos-
sible at the lowest cost, and to be certain of a ready cash market for all that
is produced. This, of course, involves care and close attention to the various
])iiases of the occupation. One of the general farmers of Burton township,
this county, who seems to understand the true business of farming is Clar-
ence Thomas, who was born in the above-named township and county, on
May I, 1882. He is a son of Edward and Esther (Pratt) Thomas. The
father was born in Davison township, Genesee county, and was a son of Will-
iam Thomas, who was a native of England, from which country he came to
America when a boy, nine years old, with his parents, the family coming to
Michigan and locating in Davison township, Genesee county, where William
Thomas grew to manhood. For a while after their marriage, Edward Thomas
and wife lived on a farm which they rented in Burton township, later buying
a farm there, and devoted their active lives to general farming. Two chil-
dren were born to them, Lettie, wife of John Wagner, of Flint, and Clarence
L., the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died in June,
1914.

Clarence Thomas grew up on the home farm, where he worked when a
bo}-, and attended the district schools. When fourteen years of age he
started to work out bv the month. At the time of his marriage he moved
to his father-in-law's farm, on which he still lives. The place consists of
eighty acres and is known as "Willow Dale Farm." It is located four and
one-half miles from Flint, in section 14 of Burton township. Mr. Thomas
has added many important improvements to the place and has made a good
living as a general farmer and stock raiser.

On Ma\- 2^. igoo, Clarence Thomas was married to Mabel Halleck, a
daughter of Ransom and Mary J. (Hunt) Halleck. The father was lx>rn
in New ^'(.rk state, where he was reared and married. Mary Jane Hunt,
who was l)nrn in England, was ten years old when her parents came to this
cciuntrv, settling in New York state. Three years after their marriage.
Ransom Halleck and \v\ie came to Michigan, locating in Richfield township.

254 ■ GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

this county, where they Hved two years, at the end of which time they moved
to Burton township where the family has since resided. Mr. Halleck's death
occurred in 1889. His widow is still living on the home place, being now
well advanced in years. To these parents four children were born, namely :
Jessie, who married Charles W. Nash, of Flint, and has three children,
Marv E., Lena, and Ruth H. ; Florence, who married R. A. Pratt, of Flint,
and has two children, Leslie C. and Charles H. ; George W., who lives on a
farm in Burton township, and Mabel, wife of Mr. Thomas.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas two children have been born, Gertrude L.,
born on June i, 1901, now in her second year in the Flint high school, and
Earl Dean, born on December 31, 1904, now attending the district school.

Politically, Mr. Thomas is a Republican, and he is active and influential
in party affairs. He has served both as county committeeman and as town-
ship committeeman, and has been active in local conventions. He has been
township treasurer for the past two years, and in the spring of 1916 was
nominated for highway commissioner. He was a director in school district
No. 9 for six years. He is a member of the Gleaners and of the Grange in
Burton township, and is also a memljer of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge
No. 159, at Flint.

WTLLL\M J. PUTNAM.

William J. Putnam, postmaster at Goodrich, this county, and one of
the best-known and most progressive merchants of that flourishing village.
is a native son of that village and has lived there all his life, now^ represent-
ing the third generation of his family engaged in mercantile pursuits there.
his grandfather and his father also having been mercliants there in their
respective generations. Mr. Putnam is descended from the same common
stock as that of Gen. Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, and a history
of this family is set out in full in a biographical sketch relating to George
F. Putnam, also of Goodrich, elder lirothcr of the subject of this sketch,
presented elsewhere in this volume, to which the reader is respectfully re-
ferred for additional information in this connection. The first of the family
to come to Michigan was William H. Putnam. Sr.. for many years affec-
tionately known throughout this section as "Squire Put," who came here in
territorial davs and later settled at Goodrich, where for years he was en-
o-ao-ed in the mercantile busmess. He was postmaster and justice of the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 255

peace and liis son, W^illiam H. Putnam, Jr., succeeded him in the ownership
of the store and was also postmaster and justice of the peace. WilHam H.
Putnam, Jr., married Rhoda A. Frost, daughter of Jonathan Frost, one of
the foremost pioneers of the Goodrich neighborhood, a history of which
family is set out in detail in a biographical sketch relating to Mrs. Emily
■ (Frost) Goodrich, of Goodrich, aunt of the subject of this sketch, presented
elsewhere in this volume, and William J. Putnam was the last born of the
four children born to that union.

William J. Putnam was born on July 21, 1884, and grew to manhood in
his native village, receiving his schooling in the schools of that town and
supplementing the same by a course in the Ferris Institute. When he was
twenty-one years of age, in 1905, he and N. S. Strong engaged in the lum-
ber business in the northern peninsula, under the firm name of the Strong
Lumber Company, and he was thus engaged until 1909, when he returned
to Goodrich and there formed a partnership with Homer W. Day, the part-
ners purchasing the general store of D. M. Scriver, which they since have
very successfully conducted. Since taking over that business they have
added a general line of agricultural implements to their stock and are doing
very well. In 191^ Mr. Putnam was postmaster of Goodrich, the third of
his name in successive generations to hold that office, and is now serving the
public very acceptably in that capacity.

On September 27, 191 5, William J. Putnam was united in marriage to
Philena M. Pierson, who also was born in Goodrich, daughter of William
S. and Addie (Salisbury) Pierson, 1x)th of wliom were born in the near
vicinity of that \-illage, members of old pioneer families, who are now living
in the city of Portland. Oregon. William S. Pierson's father, Deloss Pier-
son, was born near the city of Rochester, New York, where he grew to
manhood and where he married Philena Douglass, who was bom in Gorham
township, Yates county. New York. In 1856 he and his wife came to Michi-
gan and settled in this county, where they spent the rest of their lives. Deloss
Pierson bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Atlas township
from Levi Preston, one of the first settlers in that section, and lived there
until late in life, when he and his wife moved to Flint, where both died in
1904, about se\en years later. They had three sons, Sumner H, of Good-
rich; Herbert, of Atlas township, and William S. The latter grew to man-
hood on the home farm in Atlas township and married Addie Salisi)ur\',
who also was born in that same township. He followed farming here until
about 1902, when he and his wife moved to Portland, Oregon, where the^•
are now living. 'Mr. and Mrs. Putnam take a farm interest in the general

256 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

social and cultural acti\ities of their home \illa,c;e and are among the leaders
in all movements having to do with the advancement of the Ijest interests
of the communitv thereahoul.

CLINTON ROBERTS.

L linton Roberts, of the law firm of Black & Roberts, at Flint, is a native
son of Genesee county and has lived here practically all his life. He was
born in the village of Argentine, in the southwestern part of the county,
June _'i, 1864. He is a son of David N. and Martha (Owen) Roberts, the
former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Michigan, who
were the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch having a sister,
]\[ary, wile of John T. Matthews, of Ithaca, this state. The mother of these
children, whose parents were natives of ^^'ales, died in 1868 and David N.
Roberts later married Mrs. b'.liza Beach, which second union was without
issue.

David N. Roljerts was reared on a f;irm in Chemung county. New York,
and became a millwright and practical miller. \\'hen about twenty-one years
of age he came to Michigan and located in the village of Parshallburg, in
Livingston county, nliere he erected a flour-mill which he operated for
a\Ahile, presently mo\ing to Deer Creek, where he built the first mill in that
place, i^rom there he mo\e(l to Argentine, \\here he owud and operated a
mil! f(ir a number of years, hauling his flour from there to Detroit by
wagcjn. He then u.oved to Hartland Outer, where he owned and operated
a mill until failing sight compelled him to give up the milling business, after
which he moved to a farm he had bought years before in Argentine town-
shij) and there spent his last days, his death occurring in 1892, he then being
seventy-two years of age.

Owing to the se\eral changes of residence on the part of his father.
( 'lintou Roberts receixed his schooling in several different villages. He was
graduated from the high school at Fentou and then for several years taught
school, de\'oting his leisure to the study of law. presently pursuing these
studies systematically under the preceptorshij) of James H. McFarlan at
Flint and was admitted to the bar in 1886. Mr. Roberts began the practice
of his profession at Flint in partnership with Mr. McFarlan and later fomietl
a partnership with George O. Crane, which mutually agreeable association
continued until the death of Mr. Crane, after which i\Ir. Roberts became as-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

257

sociated in practice with Edward D. Black, under the firm name of Black &
Roberts, which association continues.

On May 25, 1897, Clinton Roberts was united in marriage to Lulu
Gillis. daughter of Andrew and Marcia (Persons) Gillis, further mention
of whom is made a biographical sketch relating to Andrew Gillis, presented
elsewhere in this volume, and to that union were born three children, Russell
C, David G. and Francis L. The mother of these children died in 1910, at
the age of forty-one years, and on June 14, igji. Mr. Roberts married Mrs.
Louisa A. Burns, who was born at Alpena, this state, daughter of William
L. Macdonald and wife, the former of whom, a native of Scotland, came to
Michigan from Brantford, Canada, and settled in Alpena, where he is still
living. Mrs. Roberts is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Roberts is
a Democrat. Fraternally, he is afifiliated with the Masonic order, being a
Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of Flint Lodge No. 23,
Free and y\ccepted Masons: Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Ma-
sons, and Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar. He and
his wife reside at No. 61 ^ East Court street, Flint.

WARREN A. ROGERS.

Warren A. Rogers, well-known miller at Genesee, this county, pro-
prietor of the old-established "Genesee Mills" at that place and long one of
the leaders in affairs thereabout, is a native son of Genesee county and has
lived here all his life. He was born at Whitesburg on August 14, 1864,
son of Isaac O. and Mary S. (Meade) Rogers, natives of New York state
and for many years well-known residents of Genesee county, whose last
days were spent in the village of Genesee, where for years Isaac O. Rogers
operated the mill now owned by his son, the subject of this sketch.

Isaac O. Rogers was born in Genesee county, New York, February 20,
1827, and was left an orphan in his early childhood. He was reared on a
farm and when grown left the farm and went into the grinding department
of a distillery in the neighborhood of his home and there began his life-
long career as a miller, later acquiring further experience in that line in
mills at Lockport and at other points thereabout and then came to Michigan,
locating in Genesee county. Upon coming here he had a horse and buggy
and a watch, which he traded for a farm near Mt. Morris, but he found
(17a)

258 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

his farm iiinler water and i)resently sold it to I\(jhert Dyljall. Ik- then re-
turned to New N'ork and there, on July 10, 1851. married Mary S. Meade,
who was born at Alabama Center, Genesee county, that state, March 13.
1833, and shorly after his marriage returned to Michigan, arriving at h'lint
with his wife, a watch and forty cents in cash. For some time after his re-
turn to this county, Mr. Rogers worked in the Hamilton mill at Mint and in
the mill at the \illage of Genesee and then went to work in the mill at
I'ayville, two miles north of Mt. Morris, later buying that mill aiul moving
the siime to \\hiteslnu-g. re- erecting it on Hutternut creek, the money for
that operation having been furnised him by Mr. llartson. Mr. Ixogers
operated the mill at \\'hitesl'.nrg for about ten years and while there made
some n-'.one)-. In 1871 he traded the mill to John blibbard for eighty acres
of land and the ne.xt year, in the summer of 187J, be went to (lenesee,
where he and (icorge I.isett bought the mill that had been estalilished there
for years. Not king afterward Mr. Rogers bought his partner's interest in
the mill and thereafter operated it alone. In 1882 the mill was destroyed
by fire, but he rebuilt it better than before and continued operating it until
his death, in June. 1889, lie then being si.xty-two years of age. His wife
had preceded him to the grave a little more than a year, her death having
occurred on March 12, 18S8, she then having been fifty-five years of age.
Isaac O. Rogers was a Republican from the time of the organization of that
party until the organization of the Greenback party, in 1874, when he be-
came affiliated with that party, b'or some years he served as supervisor
of Thetford township and in other ways contributed of his time and service
to the public. He was a Royal Arch Mason affiliated with the "blue" lodge
and the chapter at Flint, and took much interest in Masonic affairs.

To Isaac (). and Mary S. (Meade) Rogers five children were born,
namely: Xancv J., born on .\ugust 31, 1856. who ilied on September 8, of
that same year: William ()., Xoveml:)er (\ 1861. now living at Otter Lake,
in the neighVioring count}- of Lapeer; Warren A., the immediate subject of
this biographical sketch; b'rank (;., merchant and jiostmaster at Crenesee. a
biographical sketch of whom is ])resented elsewhere in this volume, and
Carrie May, born on July fj, 1870, vvhii died on .\i)ril 13, 1874. William
O. Rogers, now living at Otter Lake, was married on Octoljer 4, 1882, to
Jf.hanna Clapp, who was born on March 29, 1864, daughter of Horace and
Mary J. (Dickenson) ( lapp, the former bom on October 28, 1835, and the
latter, [March 17, 1837, who were married on .\])ril 6, 1856, and ior more
than forty years were well-known residents of Genesee township, and to
this union live children have been born, as follow- Xellie M., born on

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 259

October i8, 1885, who married George Dewey: Claud A.. July 20, 1891 ;
Pearl (leorgia, March 9, 1894, who died on April 8, of that same year;
Otto r>., October 17, 1895, who died on September 7, i8g6, and Francis A.,-
Xovemher i, 1898.

\\'arren A. Rogers was but a child when bis parents moved to Genesee
and he received his schooling in the schools of that village. From the days
of his boyhood he was a \alued assistant of- his father in the work of the
mill and u]X)n their father's death he and his brother, \^''illiam O. Rogers,
assumed the management of the mill and C(jntinued to operate the same
under the firm name of i'Jogers Brothers, until in April, 1916, when W'arren
A. Rogers bought his brother's interest in the mill and has since been
operating it alone. The Genesee Mills is one of the best-known establish-
ments of its kind in this ]iart of the state and its product is in wide demand.
]\'lr. Rogers makes a specialty of white and regular Graham flours, buck-
wheat flour and a special-process flour known as "Breakfast Wheat," which
has become widely popular. Mr. Rogers's mill is a burrstone mill, run by
water-power, the water confined by the concrete dam across the creek at the
point turning five water wheels of thirty horse-power each. Mr. Rogers is
a jNIa'^on, a member of the lodge of that order at Otisville, and is a member
of the Knights of the Maccabees, keeper of records in the "tent" of the
latter order for five } ears. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist and he and his
wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church, in which he has been
an office bearer and for many years Sunda\- school superintendent.

Mr. Rogers has been twice married. It was in November, 1903, that
be was united in marriage to Mary Sheldon, who was born in Forest town-
ship, this county, and who died on November i, 1904, eleven months after
her marriage, after having given birth to a babe which lived but a short
time. On October 26, 1909, Mr. Rogers married I^icy Fitch, wdio was
born in Genesee township, this county, daughter of Edwin H. and Lettie
(Ward) Fitch, the former of whom was born at Clinton, this state, July 14,
1837, and the latter in Ohio, NoAcmber 9, 1841, who married on September
4, 1861, and had seven children, of whom Mrs. Rogers was the last bom,
the others being Winnie .\., Nina, Lena, Cora, Bessie and Archie. Edwin
H. Fitch was for more than twenty years a farmer, li\ing near the village of
Genesee, until his retirement from the farm and removal to l^"lint, where
he now lives. His wife died on March 29, 1895. Lucy Fitch completed
her schooling in Oberlin College and then bgean teaching in the city schools
at Flint, teaching in the Doyle school for one year and six months and in
the Walker school for two vears and six months, at the end of which time

26o GF.NESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

she went to California and had been teaching in that state for three years
at the time of her marriage to Mr. Rogers. To that union three children
have been born, Lena Marie, born on October i, 1910; Kenneth Warren,
June 12, 1912, and Catheryn Louise, December 3, 1913.

WALTER DRISS KNICKERBOCKER.

W'alter Driss Knickerbocker, supervisor of Mt. Morris township and
one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of that part of Genesee
count}-, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life. He
was born on a farm in section 7, Genesee township, May 18, 1876, son of
^^'alter and Mary (Abram) Knickerbocker, both natives of the state of
New York, who spent their last days in this county, both living to ripe old
ages, honored and influential residents of the community in which they had
lived for many years.

Walter Knickerbocker was born in Dutchess county, New York, April
8, 1822, and lived there until he was sixteen years old, w^hen he came to
Michigan, arriving in Genesee county with fifteen cents in his pocket. He
worked at various jobs until he was old enough to homestead a tract of land
and then "took up" a quarter of a section about the center of Thetford
township and proceeded to clear and improve the same. Some time later he
sold that quarter section and moved over into Genesee township, where he
bought land in section 7 and there, having in the meantime married, estab-
lished his home and lived many years, buying more land adjoining. He
later moved to a farm on section 6 in that same township, where he lived until
1882, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 22, Mt. Morris
township, where he erected a fine brick house and there lived the remainder
of his life, with the exception of a few years during which he and his wife
made their home in Flint, his death occurring at his home in Mt. Morris
township on March i, 1907, he then being eighty-five years of age. Walter
Knickerbocker was a Democrat and for many years was one of the leaders
of his party in this county. For many years he served as treasurer of Mt.
Morris township and in other ways took an active part in local civic afifairs.
He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and ever
were accounted among the leaders in good works in their neighborhood. Mrs.
Knickerbocker survived her husband about eighteen months, her death
occurring on the day liefore Thanksgiving in 1908, she then being seventy-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 261

three years of age. She was born, Mary Abram, in Lancaster county, New
York, January 7, 1835, and came to Genesee county as a school teacher and
was teaching school in Mt. Morris township when she married Mr. Knicker-
bocker. He had been married previously, his first wife, Caroline Slosser,
having died leaving two children, Levant and Charles, both of whom are
still living. To the second marriage ten children were born, eight of whom
lived to maturity, namely : George, who is living in Vienna township, this
county; William, who is living at Davison; Jennie, who married George
Nichol and died in 1916; Julia, who married Dr. H. R. Niles, of Flint; Mary,
who married Charles Cummings, of Flint; Anna, who married B. Jeffries,
also of Flint; Walter D., the subject of this biographical sketch, and Her-
man, who is living at Mt. Morris.

Walter Driss Knickerbocker received his elementary education in the
old Beecher district school, supplementing the same by a course in the high
school at Flint, after which he spent several years as an able assistant in the
work of developing and improving his father's extensive farm lands, later
returning to Flint, where he was engaged in scaling lumber for the Randall
Lumber Company for eighteen months, at the end of which time he returned
home and resumed his place on the farm. There he worked on his own
account, with the exception of six months spent in New York state, until his
marriage when twenty-five years of age. After his marriage Mr. Knicker-
bocker established his home on the farm of eighty acres on which he is now
living and there he has lived ever since, long having been regarded as one
of the most substantial farmers in that part of the county. In addition to
his general farming he has made a specialty of dairy farming and has done
very well. His house and farm buildings are modern in construction and
equipment and are lighted throughout with electricity. Mr. Knickerbocker
is a Democrat and for years has taken an active part in local civic affairs.
He is now serving his seventh term as township supervisor and has done
excellent work in that capacity. He is a member of the lodge of the Bene-
volent and Protective Order of Elks at Flint and of the Order of Gleaners
in Burton township and takes a warm interest in the affairs of both of these
organizations.

Mr. Knickerbocker has been married twice. On February 2"], 1901, he
was united in marriage to Florence Russell, who was born in Genesee town-
ship, this county, February 3, 1878, daughter and only child of John Russell
and wife, and who died on February 2, 1906. On March 27, 1907, Mr.
Knickerbocker married Emma Marshall, who was born in Bothwell county,
Ontario, December 3. 1877. daughter of James and Martha (Simmington)

262 GFNESEE COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.

Marshall, natives of Ireland, who came to the United States after their
marriage and settled in New York City, going thence to Canada, where James
Marshall was engaged as a farmer and oil-well driller until he came to
Michigan with his family and settled on a farm in Burton township, this
county, where he lived until his retirement from the farm and removal to
Mint, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years and where his widow
is still living. James Marshall and wire were the parents of thirteen chil-
dren, all of whom are living save two, as follow: Martha, who married
George Pritchard and is living at Flint; Anna L., who married Will Street,
of Flint; Margaret E., widow of Alexander Ball, of Flint; Mary, wife of
William Sager, of Flint; William J., of Flint; Sarah R., wife of Evan Rich-
ards, of Burton township; Hannah M., who married Carl Ball and is now
living in California; Robert, of Manitowoc county, Wisconsin; Edith B.,
who married Horace I'ettis and is li\ing at Toledo, Ohio; Emma D., who
married Mr. Knickerbocker, and \'iola E., who married Burdette Smith, of
Detroit. To Walter D. and Emiua D. ( Marshall ) Knickerbocker two chil-
dren have been born, Pauline Alice, born on October 7, 19 10, and Driss,
October 20, 191 1. Mr. and Mrs. Knickerbocker are members of the Episco-
pal church at Flint and take an earnest interest in the general good works of
the communitv.

FRED WILLIAM KNAPP.

Fred William Knapp, one of the best-known and most progressive
farmers in Davison township, a member of the board of directors of the
State Bank of Davison and proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and
sixty acres on rural route No. 10, out of Flint, is a native son of Genesee
county, born a short distance east of his present home in Davison township,
August 20, 1866, son of Xelson and Marsena (Hill) Knapp, both natives
of the state of New York and both for many years well-known and influen-
tial residents of Davison township, where their last days were spent.

Nelson Knapp was born on a farm in Porter township, Niagara county.
New York, March 15, 1838, son of Caleb and Christina (Frohman) Knapp.
and lived there until he had attained his young manhood, when he came to
Michigan and located on a farm of one hundred acres in the deep woods in
sections 20 and 21 in Davison township, this county, where, with the excep-
tion of about thirteen years sjjcnt in the village of Davison after he had
passed middle age. he spent the rest of his life. When Xelson Knapp took

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 26^

p>)sscssifin of his farm in Davison township it was a wild wood tract, wholly
unimproved. Indians still were living thereabout in those days and wild
game was plentiful. He married when he was twenty years of age, not
long after coming to this county, and established his home on his woodland
tract, which he proceeded to clear and to develop and it was not long until
he became recognized as one of the leading pioneers of that section of the
cdunty. There he lived for about thirty years, at the end of which time he
retired from the farm and moved to the village of Davison, where for thir-
teen years he made his home ; during which time he Iniilt and sold a numlier
of houses, and then moved back to his old home farm, where he died hve
years later, June 12, 1905. His widow survived him less than two years,
her death occurring on January 10, 1907. Mrs. Marsena Knapp had lived
nearly all her life in Genesee county. She was lx)rn in Oakland township,
Genesee county. New York, January 6, 1841, daughter of Joseph E. and
Sarah (Sinith) Hill, who came to Michigan when she was four or five years
old and settled in this county. In a biographical sketch relating to Philip
Hill, of this county, a brother of Mrs. Knapp, presented elsewhere in this
volume, there is set out in detail a further history of the Hill famih- in this
county. To Nelson Knapp and wife four children were born, namely: Tru-
man E., of Davison, this county; Mary S., wife of William O. Myers, of
Niagara county. New York; Fred W., the subject of this biographical sketch,
and JNIarsena, wife of Herbert F. Currier, of Davison.

Fred W. Knapp grew up on the old home farm in Davison township
and with the exception of two periods of three months each spent in South
Dakota, has always lived there. In 1888 he married and began farming for
himself on his father's farm, his father having retired and moved to Davison,
and has farmed on that land and other land adjoining ever since, being now
the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land, with four
sets of buildings on the same, and has long been regarded as one of the
most substantial farmers in that neighborhood. In connection with his gen-
eral farming, Mr. Knapp has given considerable attention to the raising of
live stock, with particular reference to Aberdeen cattle and Duroc-Jersev
hogs, and has done very well. He also gives some attention to outside busi-
ness enterprises and is a member of the board of directors of the State Bank
of Davison. He is a Democrat and for years has given his close attention
to local political affairs. In his fraternal relations, he is affiliated with the
Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges and with the Grange at Davison, and takes
a warm interest in the affairs of these several organizations.

It was in 1888 that Fred \\'. Knapp was united in marriage to Jennie

264 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

S. Blackmore, who also was born in Davison township, a daughter of
Charles and Mary (Gillette) Blackmore, a history of which family is set
out elsewhere in this volume in a biographical sketch relating to Mrs. Knapp's
brother, Fred E. Blackmore, and to this union one child has been born, a
son. Nelson Charles Knapp, born on September 16, 1888, who has been
farming with his father ever since completing his studies in the Davison high
school. In September, 1910, N. C. Knapp married Bertha Tower, who also
was born in Davison township, a daughter of Madison Tower and wife, and
makes his home on one of his father's farms. Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Knapp
have as a member of their household Mary Lois Hillier, Mrs. Knapp's niece,
whom they have cared for since she was eighteen months old. They also
reared George Smith from the days of his childhood until he reached the
vears of manhood.

CHARLES H. BONBRIGHT.

Although there are no positive rules for achieving success, yet in the
life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be fol-
lowed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the op-
portunities that come in his path. Such a gift seems to have been vouch-
safed to Charles H. Bonbright, one of the progressive manufacturers of
Flint, Michigan.

yir. Bonbright is a native of Bea\er, Pennsylvania, and he is a son of
[ohn S. and Eliza S. (Stone) P.onbright, also natives of Pennsylvania, the
father growing to manhood in Westmoreland county, where he attended
school and engaged in merchandising, principally. Coming west in 1864,
he located in Des Moines, Iowa, where he spent the rest of his life, engaged
extensively in the wholesale and retail agricultural implement business. His
death occurred in that city in 1900, at the age of eighty-one years, his wife
preceding him to the grave in 1881, at the age of fifty-three years. He had
been previously married and his first wife had borne him two children, Alex-
ander M., who died in 1886, and Daniel. The grandparents of the subject
of this sketch, on 1ioth sides of the house, were natives of Pennsylvania,
where thev li\ed and died. Fi\e children were liorn to John S. and Eliza S.
Bonbright, namely: Stephen S., of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mary J., who re-
mained single and died in early life; Charles H., of this sketch; Anna Myr-
tle, who married John B. Given, is deceased; Letta E. is the wife of Fred
B. Wenger, of Denver, Colorado.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 265

Charles Fl. Bonbright was reared in Des Moines, Iowa, where he re-
ceived his education in the pubHc schools, the Des Moines University and
the Iowa Agricultural College. He then went to Princeton University, from
which he was graduated in 1883. Returning to Des Moines, he became an
invoice clerk in that city and six months later went to work for his father in
his agricultural implement store. He later became sales manager for the
Common Sense Engine Company of Muncie, Indiana; afterward was with
Warder, Bushnell, Glessner & Company, of Chicago, for a short time, then
accepted a position with the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, of Flint,
Michigan, with which he remained for a period of sixteen years. He then
organized the Imperial Wheel Company, the Walter Weiss Axle Company,
and Imperial Drop Forge Company (Indianapolis), all of which have been
very successful. The wheel company employs two hundred and seventy-five
people in the manufacture of automobile wheels exclusively. The axle com-
pany employs about six hundred men and the forge company one hundred
and fifty. Mr. Bonbright is president of the Walker-Weiss Axle Company
and Imperial Drop Forge Company and vice-president and general manager
of the Imperial Wheel Company, whose pronounced success from the first
has been due principally to his sound judgment and keen business acumen.

In partnership with (jeorge E. Pomeroy, Mr. Bonbright platted what is
known as the Pomerox &- Bonbright addition, first, second and third, to the
city of Flint, and they erected a number of houses. He is also interested
financially in the automobile industries of Flint and is a director in the Union
Trust and Savings Bank, in which he is a stockholder. He has been very
successful in a liusiness way and is one of the influential and representative
men of affairs of Mint, well known and highly esteemed as a citizen.

Mr. Bonbright was married on May 15, 1890, to Delia M. Windus, a
daughter of Stephen B. and Sarah (Miller) W^indus, who was born in West
Liberty, Iowa. She was given educational advantages and is a lady of cul-
ture. Her father was a native of England, from which country he
came to the United States when young, and here met and married Sarah
Miller, who is a native of Pennsylvania. These parents now reside in Des
]\Ioines, Iowa. They had fi\e daughters, namely: Eva, deceased; Viola,
Delia, Catherine and Dorothy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bonbright one son has been horn, Carl Windus Bon-
bright, who was graduated from the Flint high school, also the Kiskiminitas
Spring school, and is now a sophomore in Princeton University.

Politically, Mr. Bonbright is a Republican and has long taken an inter-
est in public affairs. He is one of the present police commissioners of Flint.

266 CFNESKE COUNIY. MICFIIC.AN.

b'raternally, he Ijelnnt,^^ to l-'lint Lod^e Xn. jj;. l'"ree and Accepted Masons:
W'asliington Lhapter Xo. 15, Royal Arch Alasons: Cienesee Valley C"om-
mandery No. 15, Knights Templar, and Za-Ga-Zig Temple, Ancient Order
ot Xohles of the Mystic Shrine; also the Michigan Sovereign Consistory,
being a thirty-second-degree Mason. He is a member of Flint Lodge Xo.
J J J, Renevolent and Protective Oder of F.Iks. He and his wife are mem-
bers of tlie Fresbvterian church, in which he is an elder.

WILLIAM E. \\'OOLFITT.

William E. Woolhtt, a well-known and progressix'e farmer and dairy-
man, of Mt. Morris township, this county, proprietor of a fine farm of three
hundred and eighty-six acres not far from the village of Mt. Morris and also
actively engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock out of that village,
is a native of Genesee county and has lived here most of his life. He was
born on a pioneer farm one mile south of the village of Mt. Morris on October
21. 1857, scin of John and Jane (Allen) \\"oo!fitt, the former a native of
England anil the latter of Canada, who were f(jr many }ears well-known
residents of Genesee townshi]), this county, where their last days were spent.

John Woolfitt was Ijorn on a farm in the vicinity of the city of Hull,
England, May 24, 1804. and li\ed there until he was twenty-four years old,
when he came to the United States, proceeding directly to Michigan, settling
in Genesee county in 1833, among the early settlers of this part of the state.
He entered a tract of forty acres of government land in section 18 of Gene-
see township and presently traded one-half of that "forty" for a tract of
forty acres situated back of his first fort}'. Xot long after coining to this
state John Woolfitt married Jane Allen, who was born in Coburg, Ontario.
July 8, i8ig, and who was left an orphan at an earl\' age. She was reared
by kinsfolk, with whom she came to Michigan, the family settling at Pontiac.
and she was working in the household of a family at Pine Run when she
married Mr. Woolfitt. To that luiion nine children were born, all of whom
grew to maturity, as follow : Mary Jane, who married Louis Cornwell and
is now deceased; Elizabeth, who married Robert Barkley and is also deceased;
Eber A., who is living in Mt. Morris township; Caroline, who marrieil
Charles Johnson and is now deceased; Charlotte, who married James O.
Kingman ; Matilda, who married John R. Kingman ; Amos, who is living at
Bav City; William E.. the subject of this biograjihical sketch, and Emma,

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 267

wife of William Curtis. On their pioneer farm in Genesee township John
Wooltitt and his wife spent the rest of their lives. They were charter mem-
bers of the Methodist church in that neighborhood and were long influential
in good works. John Woolfitt died in 1888, he then being eighty-four years
of age at the time of her death.

William E, Woolfitt was reared on the homestead farm in the vicinitv
of Mt. Morris, receiving his schooling in the old Beecher district school,
assisting in the development of the home place and when twenty-two years
of age assumed the general management of the farm, working the same on
shares, and was for ten years thus engaged. In the meantime, in 1883, he
married and five or six years later, when he was thirty-two years of age, he
moved to Clio, where he opened a butcher shop and also engaged in the ship-
ping of live stock. Business did not prosper for him there, however, and
fcur years later, he found that he had lost pretty much all he had. including
his farm. He then went to Traverse City, where he entered the employ of
the Cornwell Beef Company as a traveling salesman and was thus engaged
for four years and six months, at the end of which time, in 1903, he returned
to Genesee county and began to work Mrs. Cornwell's farm on shares. Four
years later, in the spring of 1907, he bought a farm of one hundred and
sixtv acres in that same neighborhood from his brother-in-law, Charles
Johnson, and there established his home. As he prospered in his farming
operations Mr. Woolfitt has added to his land holdings until now he is the
owner of three hundred and eighty-six acres of fine land, all of which save
eighty acres is under culti\-ation. For years Mr. Woolfitt has been extensively
engaged in the dairy business and has a fine herd of Herefords. Two of his
cows have a record of fifty pounds of milk daily, with good butter test, one
of these cows having a record of eighteen pounds of butter in seven days.
Mr. Woolfitt also does quite a business in the way of shipping live stock and
wool from Mt. Morris and is doing very well, long having been regarded as
one of the most substantial citizens of that part of the county. He is a
Republican and takes a warm interest in local politics, though not an office
seeker. He is a member of the Loyal Guard, a charter member of the local
branch of that organization at Clio, was paymaster there and in Traverse
City, and is now connected with the lodge of the order at Flint.

Mr. M^oolfitt has been twice married. It was on November 28, 1883,
that he was united in marriage to Anna A. Soper, who w^as born in Mt. Morris
township, this county, and who died in August, 1898, without issue. On
March 29, 1900, Mr. Woolfitt married, secondly, Sarah L. Bosworth, who
was l3orn in Lorain countv, Ohio, November 16, 1857, and whose father

268 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

died when she was a child, her mother, Mrs. Sarah Bosworth, later coming
with her family to Michigan and settling in Traverse City, where Sarah L.
Bosworth grew to womanhood and where she was living when she married
Mr. Woolfitt. Mr. and Mrs. Woolfitt are rearing in their pleasant home in
Mt. Morris township a little girl, Erma Ridley, who was born in Genesee
township. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take
an active interest in the affairs of the same, Mr. Woolfitt being one of the
stewards of the church and chairman of the board of trustees of the same.

FRANK G. ROGERS.

Frank G. Rogers, postmaster at Genesee, this county, and for years one
of the leading merchants of that village, proprietor of a flourishing general
store there, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his
life. He was born at Whitesburg, November 3, 1866, son of Isaac O. and
-Mary S. (Meade) Rogers, the former for many years a well-known miller
of Genesee county, whose last days were spent at Genesee, where he was the
proprietor of the mill now known as the "Genesee Mills," operated and
owned bv his son, Warren A. Rogers, an elder brother of the subject of this
sketch, in a biographical sketch of whom, presented elsewhere in this volume,
there is set out in full a history of the Rogers family in this county, to
which the reader is respectfully referred in this connection for further de-
tails regarding the genealogy of Frank G. Rogers.

Frank G. Rogers was about six years old when his parents moved to
Genesee village, where his father conducted the mill until his death, and he
grew to manhood there, working in the mill until he was twenty years of
age, when he went to Chesaning, in the neighboring county of Saginaw,
where for three years he was employed as a clerk in the general stores of
John Jackson and G. I.. Chapman, after which he went to Saginaw and
was there employed in the store of William Berry for two years, at the end
of which time he went to Bay City and thence to Trenton, .\fter a year
spent in the drv-goods department of John Felter's store in the latter city,
Mr. Rogers engaged in the hotel business at Trenton and for two years was
proprietor of the Hotel Felder there. He then married and bought the
general store of Edward Wooden at Genesee, his home village, taking pos-
session of the same on March 20, 1899, ^"<-l 'i^s ever since been in business
there. ^Ir. Rogers owns the building in which his store is located and car-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 269

ries a general stock of goods, the store being conducted in an up-to-date
manner and admirably equipped to meet the demands of the trade in that
section of the county. The postoffice at Genesee was located in the Wooden
store when Mr. Rogers bought it and when Mr. Wooden resigned as post-
master, upon going out of business, Mr. Rogers was appointed to succeed
him, his commission as postmaster being dated April i, 1899, and he ever
since has been serving in that capacity. He has a fine house in Genesee,
liaving built the same along modern lines, equipped with an individual elec-
tric-lighting system and running water, and he and his wife are verv pleas-
antly situated.

It was on March i, 1899, that Frank G. Rogers was united in marriage
to Catherine Porter, who was born at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and who
was reared at Zanesville, Ohio, where she received her education and from
which place she went to Washington, D. C., where for several years she was
connected with the patent office, after whicli she moved to Cleveland, Ohio,
and thence to Detroit, where she was living when she married Mr. Rogers.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the Methodist Protestant church at
Genesee, and Mr. Rogers is a member of the board of trustees of the same.
He is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the "blue"
lodge, the chapter and the commandery at Flint, and of Monroe Council
Royal and Select Masters, at Detroit, and is also a member of the Order of
Gleaners, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

FRANK H. HILL.

Frank H. Hill, a well-known and well-to-do farmer and dairyman of
Genesee township, this county, owner of a fine farm of two hundred and
thirty acres on rural route No. 6, out of Flint, and for years actively inter-
ested in the work of developing the best interests of his home community, is
a native son of Genesee county, born on the farm on which he is now living,
and has lived here all his life, for more than a half century having been an
active participant in the development of the region surrounding his home.
He was born on October 9, 1856, son of Thomas R. and Mary Alice (Hunt)
Hill, natives of England, who came to Michigan in the early fifties and spent
their last days in this county, substantial and influential residents of Genesee
township.

Thomas Hill was born on a farm near King's Lynn, Norfolk, in 1818

270 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHICAN.

and grew tu nianlKJod tliere. He married in luigland and when well along
toward middle age he came to the United States with his family, proceeding
directly to Michigan and settling at Ann Arlior, where he lived for tw(_) years,
at the end of whicii time, in 1853, he came t(j Genesee county and houglit a
iract of sixty acres of uncleared land in section 36 of Genesee township,
established his home in what then was a woodland wilderness and there he
and his wife spent the rest of their lives. When the Hills settled in Genesee
township there were no roads reaching out in that direction and their i)lace
was reached by an old Indian trail. Thomas Hill became one of the leaders
in the pioneer life of his neighborhood and was a man of influence in his
communit}-. He became a Republican upon the organization of that party
and was ever afterward acti\-ely identified with that part}-. He and his wife
were members of the Methodist church and were regarded as among the
leaders in good works in their section. Thomas Hill lived to be seventy-tive
years of age, his death occurring in 1893. He and his wife were the parents
of seven children, of whom but two now surxive, the subject of this sketch
having a brother, Thomas W. Hill, born in 1847. '^^"li" i^ 'T'^^' living in
Cleveland, Ohio.

b'rank H. Hill was reared on the paternal farm in Genesee township
and received his schooling in the primitive schools in the neighborhood of
his home. Upon reaching manhood's estate he continued to make his home
on the old home farm and for some years l^efore the death of his father was
engaged in operating the farm on shares. After his marriage he established
his home on the old home place and has continued to live there. As he pros-
pered in his farming operations he added to his holdings until now he is the
owner of a hne farm of two hundred and thirty acres. In addition to his
general farming Mr. Hill for years has been actively interested in dairying
and has a fine herd of thoroughbred Holsteins. His dairy barn, constructed
with cement floors and e(|uipped along modern lines, has a capacity to accom-
modate forty-fi\e head and he also has two capacious silos. The farm is
thoroughly tiled and the other improvements are in keeping with those here
mentioned, the place being looked upon as one of the model farms in that
locality.

It was on July 29, 1884, that Frank H. Hill was united in marriage to
Flora Selleck, who was born in Grand Blanc, this county, July 29, 1862,
daughter of Charles M. and Maria ( Brainard ) Selleck, and to this union
two children have been born, Walter T.. who married Helen Ashley ami is
now living on the farm, associated w ith his father in the dairy business, and
I'^dton, who was graduated from the Michigan -Vgricultural College and is

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2/1

now an agricultural agent in jNlenominee county, this state. Mr. and Mrs.
Hill ha\e a very pleasant home and take a warm interest in the general
affairs of the community in which they li\"e, ever helpful in the work of
promoting movements designed to advance the common welfare therealx)Ut.

\Vn;L!.\M TINKKK

One of the \eneral)le and honored citizens of Genesee county, who,
after a successful and protracted career as a foundry and machine-shop
owner, is now living retired, is AVilliam Tinker, of Vienna township. He
was horn in Monroe county, Ohio, July 2J. 1837, and son and only child of
William and Levinia ( ]^;athhorn ) Tinker. The father was born in Massa-
chusetts, September 30, 1N14, and the mother was horn in Ashtabula county.
(Jiiio. fn i<%; William Tinker. Sr., brought his family to Michigan, locat-
ing in \'ienna township, this county, and there, with his son, built a macliine-
sho|) in the village of I'ine Run, where he spent the rest of his life, dying
in 1889 at the age of seventv-hve years. His first wife, the modier of the
subject of this sketch, died in Ohio when only twenty-two years of age,
after which he married Sarah Green, who was born in Pennsylvania about
i8_'i. Her death occurred in 1896, when about seventy years of age. h^our
children w ere born to that second union, namely : Ellen, who married Will-
iam Underbill; Francis, second in order of 1>irth : Ida, who married J. P.
I'^razie, and Frederick O.

\\'illiam Tinker, Jr., spent his boyhood in the state of Ohio and received
;i common school education. His father was a machinist who taught this
trade to his son, and young Tinker worked in the machine-shop and foundry,
which was owned by his father, until 1865, when the family moved to this
count}'. However, prior to that the elder Tinker and his son had purchased
some land in Vienna township, but instead of developing it they established
a machine-shop at Pine Pun, .also operated in connection a foundry and
blacksmith shop and built up an extensive business manufacturing and re-
pairing general farming macliinery, threshing-machines, steam engines, plows
and the like, .\fter the lather's death the son continued operating the plant
with increasing business until in 1915, when the entire plant was destroyed
l>v tire. He rebuilt a small shoii, Init has since not been doing very much
work. He is highlv skilled as a mechanic and was always kept busy. It
was a severe loss to the entire locality when his large plant burned.

On December 9, 1857, William Tinker was married to Selerie Fox,

272 GENF.SEF. COUNTY. J[ICHIGAN.

wlio was burn in Kingsville. Oliio, June 3, 1840. a daughter of Eliezer and
Junerancy (\A'ard) Fox, the former of whom was bom at Grafton, New
Hampshire, April 30, 1808. and the latter at Ashfield, Massachusetts, in
18 1 4. They moved to Ohio about 1830, locating near Kingsville on a farm.
There Mr. Fox died in 1844, at the early age of thirty-six years. His widow
came to Michigan, in which state she spent the rest of her life, reaching an
advanced age, dying in 1901, when eighty-six years old. They were the
parents of two children, Mrs. Tinker having a brother, Eliezer. To Mr.
and Mrs. Tinker five children have been born, namely : Frank, born on
April 26, 1859; Edith, February 27, 1861; Harry C, September 26, 1863;
Lena E., November 11, 1865, and Florence L., July 24, 1868, who died at
the age of sixteen years.

Politically, ^Ir. Tinker is a Democrat. He was township supen-isor
for some time while li\in-g in Midland county during the seventies, and has
been school director at Pine Run for the past eighteen years. He is owner
of some good farming land near Pine Run. In 1871 he built a shingle-mill
in his shop, which he took to Midland county, where he spent five years
engaged in manufacturing sliingles. He also cut shingles in his mill at Pine
Run until the timber was exhausted in that localitv.

ROBERT WALTER SELLECK.

Robert Walter Selleck. well-known druggist at No. 518 South Saginaw
street, Flint, and a member of the board of directors of the Union Trust and
Savings Bank of that city, is a native son of Flint and has lived there all his
life. He was born on July 2, 1867, son of Charles and Maria (Brainard)
Selleck, the former a nati\e of New York state and the latter of Michigan:
the father of whom is still living, the mother dying on April 13, 1916.
They were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch
is the third in order of birth, the others being as follow: Charles B., of
Davison, this county; Flora, wife of Frank H. Hill, of Genesee township,
this countv; Lillian, wife of William Branch, of Bay City, this state: Estella,
wife of Dr. Arthur Johnson, of Spokane, Washington, and Gertrude, wife
of Hawley Permeter, of Flint.

Charles Selleck was bom in Genesee county, New York, son of James
Selleck and wife, both natives of that state, who, driving through from Port
Huron bv ox-team, came to Michigan in the early days of the settlement of

(X^^ TT -^

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

27Z

this region with their children, James, Henry, Hul;bard, I-^dward, Theodore,
Sanuiel, C harles and Miner\a, and located on a farm in the neighboring-
county of I.apeer. There James Selleck and his wife spent their last days,
both living to be well along in years. Charles Selleck was about fourteen
years old when he came to Michigan with his parents and he grew to man-
iiood on the i)ii.ineer farm in Lapeer county. He married Maria Brainard,
who was born in that county, member of a pioneer family, }-oungest of the
three daughters born to her parents, the others being Ida and Julia. Shortly
afterward he came u\er into (ienesee county, settling on a farm in Grand
Blanc townshi[). where he li\ed until 1865, in which year he moved to Flint,
where he engaged in the drayage business. Presently he was made superin-
tendent of the farm connected with the state school for the deal at Flint and
ser\ ed in that capacity for ten years, at the end of which time he Ixjught a
quarter of a section of land in Richfield township and there made his home
until he sold the farm and retired to Davistju, where he li\ed until the death
of his wife, then removing to h'lint, where he now resides. He is a member
of the Baptist church.

Robert \\'. Selleck was reared at Mint and received his education in the
public schools of that city. When thirteen years of age he began working
nights, mornings and Saturdays in a drug store and upon completing his
schooling, three years later, took up the study of pharmacy in earnest and
presently recei\ed his certificate as a registered pharmacist. On January i,
1906, he bought the old-established drug store of L. Church & Son at Flint
anfl has e\er since lieen \er\- successfully engaged in the drug business on his
own account. In June, 1916, Mr. Selleck comi)!eted what is conceded to be
one of the finest drug stores in the state. Mr. Selleck has other interests
besides those represented in his drug business and is one of the directors of
the Union Trust and Sa\ings Bank of Flint. He is a Republican and gives
earnest attention to local political affairs, but has never been a seeker after
I)ublic office.

On September 18, 1889, Robert W. Selleck was united in marriage to
Lena Todd, who was born in Genesee township, this county, August 20,
1871, daughter of Washington LaFayette and .\nna Eliza (Morehouse)
Todd, both nati\es of Michigan, the latter of whom is still living, and who
were the parents of two children, Mrs. Selleck having a brother, Arthur M.
Todd. To this union two children have been born, Carlotta and Robert.
Mr. and Mrs. Selleck are members of the Presbyterian church and take an
(i8a)

274 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

earnest interest in the various movements organized for the purpose of
a(J\ancing the best interests of the community. Mr. Selleck is a thirty-
second-degree Mason, affiliated with the consistory of the Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite, at Detroit, and is a noble of Elf Khurafeh Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Saginaw. His local con-
nection with the Masonic order is through membership in Genesee Lodge
No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal
Arch Masons, and Genesee \'alley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar.

CHESTER H. BLISS.

One of the progressive men of affairs of Flint is Chester H. Bliss,
proprietor of the Bryant Hotel. He takes a pride in the advancement of
his city and county, and heartily supports such movements as make toward
that end. He comes of an honest, rugged pioneer family, one that was
active and well known in Genesee county in its early history.

Chester H. Bliss was born at Flushing, this county, and is a son of
Solon C. and Harriet (Lyon) Bliss, natives of Vermont and New York
t^ity, respectively, and parents of two children, the subject of this sketch
having had a sister, Belle, who died when five years of age. The father died
his son, Chester, was fourteen months of age. The Lyon family established
their jjermanent home at Morris, where the father, Guy Lyon, and wife
died. Their family consisted of the following children: William, Mal-
colm, Sarah, Helen, Flarriet. Cornelia, Lewis, Julia, Horace and John. The
paternal grandparents were natives of New York, from which state they
came to Michigan and settled in Genesee county in an early day and en-
gaged in farming. Grandfather Bliss clearing and improving wild land. His
family consisted of four sons, Chester. Richard, Solon and Charles.

Chester H. Bliss was four years old when he removed with the family
from Flushing to Grand Rapids, where he lived until he was sixteen years
old, and there he attended the public schools, graduating from the high school,
then studied at the Swenberg Business College in that city. He moved to
Flint in 1878 and clerked in the store of D. B. Lyon & Company, later
hax'ing charge of the general store of the Pentwater Lmnber Compan\-. at
Pentwater, Michigan, ]jresently returning to Flint and accepting a [xisition
as bookkeeper for Wood & Atwood, which position he held until he entered
the service of the Grand IVunk Railway as abstract clerk, and afterwards as

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 2/5

cashier for that road at Port Huron, later being appointed to the position
chief clerk at Dnrand. He was then Detroit representative of the West
Shore Railroad for two years, afterwards filling a similar position for the
Lehigh Valley Railroad; then traveled as freight agent for Michigan, and
later as state agent. He then spent five years as traveling representative of
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. In 1908 he began his connec-
tion with the Bryant Hotel in Flint, in partnership with Edward Vosberg,
with whom he was associated until 191 3, when he bought Mr. Vosberg's
interest, and has since been the sole proprietor. On June 19, 1914, the house
suffered considerable loss by fire.

On June 24, 1892, Chester H. Bliss was married to Gertrude B. Has-
call. a daughter of Henry C. and Belle (Decker) Hascall. She was bom in
Flint, where she grew up and was educated. Her parents were also natives
of that city. Mr. Hascall devoted his active life to the lumber business.
His death occurred at Dyersburg, Tennessee, in 1900, where he had been
engaged in business about twelve -years. He was sixty years of age. His
widow sun'ives. They were parents of five children, Harry, Gertrude,
Genevieve, Nancy and Carlton. Charles M. and Nancy (Rounds) Hascall,
the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Bliss, were pioneers in Flint, this locality,
which was still the haunts of Indians when they took up their residence
in this vicinity. He was receiver of public moneys. Here he and his wife
spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring in middle life, the grand-
mother living to an advanced age. They were parents of five children who
grew to maturity, Charles, Angeline, Esther, Richard and Henry. The ma-
ternal grandparents of Mrs. Bliss were Grant and Julia (Fenton) Decker,
also pioneers in Genesee county. Mr. Decker was one of the leading busi-
ness men of Flint for many years and was for some time in partnership
with Henry C. Flascall. He devoted his earlier career to general mercantile
pursuits and also ran a flouring-mill. The grandfathers of Mrs. Bliss made
the race for the office of first mayor of Flint — opposing each other. Grant
Decker died in this city at an advanced age. Among his children were
Isabella, Genevieve, Julia and Kate. Both grandfathers had been previously
married, and had children by their first wives.

Two sons have been born to '^h. and j\lrs. Bliss, Chester Hascall Bliss,
who is identified with the Childs-Bliss Auto Company of Flint, and Edwin,
who is attending school.

Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are members of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Politi-
cally, Mr. Bhss is a Republican, and fraternally, he is a member of Genesee
Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons: of Washington Chapter No.

276 GENESKE COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.

15. Royal Arch Masons: of Flint Council, Royal and Select Masters; of
Genesee X'alley Commandery A'o. 15, Knights Templar; Bay City Consis-
tory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Elf Khurafeh Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order of Xobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also is a member of
Ivanhoe Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of Flint Lodge No. 222. Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks.

WALTER S. DA\ IS. \'. S.

Dr. ^\'alter S. Da\is, well-known \eterinary surgeon at Flushing, was
born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. August 17, 1877, a son of Walter .\.
and Selina (Boyd) Davis.

Walter A. Davis was born in Hamihon. Ontario, September 18, 1851.
He was engaged in farming near Hamilton until 1883, when he came to the
L^nited States and located at Lake View, Montcalm county, Michigan, settled
on a farm and followed farming for the rest of his active life. Some years
ago he retired and is now living in the village of Langston, Michigan. He
was left an orphan in early life and has made his own way in the world. He
is ardently devoted to the interests of the Republican party. Selina (Boyd)
Davis is also a native of HamiltcMi, Ontario, and was also left an orphan,
her parents dying when she was but three months old. She was adopted by
Henry Burkholder and wife, by whom she was reared as an own child. Her
father was an army officer and was killed. To Doctor Davis and wife five
children were born, namely : Delbert, who died at the age of twenty-eight ;
Walter S.. the subject of this sketch; Myrtle, who married Dr. St. Elmo
King, a veterinary surgeon, living at Lake View, Michigan ; George, living on
the old home farm in Alichigan, and Ethel, who married \'ernie All and lives
at Flint.

Dr. Walter S. Davis received part of his schooling in Hamilton, Ontario,
but most of his education was obtained at Lake View and in the district
schools of Montcalm county. After his school years he worked on his
father's farm, and also rented some land and farmed on his own account
He continued farming until he went to Grand Rapids to enter the veterinary
college at that place. He took a three years' course in that institution, work-
ing during the summer vacation on the home farm. After completing his
college course he engaged in the practice of his profession at Boyne Cit\,
Michigan, remaining there for two years and a half. He then ren^'ncd to

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 277

Marion, Alichigan, where he ct>nducted a drug store in connection with his
practice for two years. In 1911 he sold out his lousiness at Marion and moved
to Fhishing, where he has since continued his practice, which has been stead-
ily growing and covers a large territory. For a few years after locating at
Flushing he conducted a livery stable, but sold that in 1915. He carries a
full Hne of drugs and remedies pertaining to his practice, and sells them over
the country lay wagon.

Doctor Davis was married on August 25, 1898, to Martha Ball, who
was born in Langston, Michigan, September 2t,, iSjj, a daughter of Fred
and Ella (Wilcox) Ball, natives of Langston, and to this union three chil-
dren have been born, Laura, Mable and Edna, all in school. Doctor Davis is
a Republican and is active and influential in the alifairs of that party. He
has several times been a delegate from his county to the state conventions of
his party and has been elected to several town and township offices. Vnv the
past four \ears he has served as trustee of the village of Flushing. He is a
member of the Masonic lodge at Mushing.

CHARLES CALVL\ LUCE.

Charles Calvin Luce, a well-known and successful farmer, was born one
mile east of Flushing on January 5, 1878, the son of Calvin W. and Florence
(Sutton) Luce, both of whom were natives of Michigan. Calvin W. Luce
was born in Hillsdale county on October 7, 1846. His very early life was
spent there, but his mother died when he was but a child, and his father,
owing to ill health was compelled to return to the state of New York. Young
Calvin was bound out until he was twenty-one years of age and was brought
to Genesee county, where he grew to manhood. On reaching his majority,
he began work for himself, with the farmers of the county. He later bought
a farm, on which he lived for some )ears. He then worked on farms for
others before he purchased the farm east of Flushing, where he made his
home until his death on September 6, 191 2. He was a stanch Republican
and he and his wife were active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Fraternally, he was a member of the Maccabees.

Florence Sutton was born in Flushing township on March 28, 1850. It
was there that he received her education and grew to womanhood and was
later married to Calvin W. Luce. To Calvin and Florence (Sutton) Luce
were i)orn the following children: Ira, a farmer of Mt. Morris township;

278 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Jennie, the wife of O. Eugene Soper, of Mt. Morris township: Clarence, a
fanner of Flushing township, and Charles C.

Charles C. Luce received his education in the schools of Mt. Morris
township and in the high school at Mt. Morris. After completing his school-
ing he remained at home until 1 898, when he worked on farms for others for
a number of years. He then returned to the home place which he worked
with his brother, Clarence, for one year. He then was engaged by the
Standard Oil Company at Mt. Morris for some time, but owing to sickness
was compelled to resign his position. He then went to the home of his
father and later worked by the day for one summer. In the winter he re-
:turned to Mt. Morris where he was engaged l)y Christopher Green to drive
a dray team. In the spring he returned to the home farm and worked for
his father for one year.

On October 29, 1902, Charles C. Luce was married to Florence A.
Bump, who was born on November 2, 1877, in Flushing township, daughter
of Henry and Delecto (Richardson) Bump, and to this union four children
have been born, namely : Gladys, born on January 22, 1904 ; Harold W., June
7, 1909; Hazel Delecto, August 19, 1910, and Rena May, June 19, 1912.

After his marriage, Charles C. Luce rented his father's farm for three
years, and in connection with that he also cultivated an adjoining farm. He
then, in 1905, bought the farm of eighty acres in section 23, where he now
lives and where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He
also buys many cattle to feed and raises and feeds quite a bunch of hogs each
year. The farm is well improved, the improvements including a large barn
and silo.

Politically, Mr. Luce is a Republican and, fraternally, he is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Luce and his family are
active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

WALTER C. BAILEY

It matters little what vocation a man may select as his life occupation
as long as it is an honorable one. Certainly no calling is more honorable than
that of farming — the most ancient of man's varied lines of work. Walter
C. Bailey, of Monroe township, is one of Genesee county's energetic farmers.
He was born in Niagara county, New York, October 12, 1874, and is a son
of Nathaniel and Sarah L. (Layland) Bailey. The father was born in

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 279

\erinoiit, June 3, 1847. He worked at farming until the breaking out of
the Civil War, when he enlisted in a Vermont infantr)- regiment in which
he served for some time, then moved to the state of New York and enlisted
a second time, in Company F, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, and served
until the close of the war, taking part in many important engagements. He
was honorably discharged, after which he returned to New York and bought
a small farm, and there married his first wife, Caroline Lay land. He con-
tinued to live on his farm there until the death of his wife, then came to
Michigan and settled in Mt. Morris township, Genesee county, where he
married Sarah L. Wayland. A year later he returned to the state of New
York where he spent five years, then removed to Russell, Kansas, where he
spent one year, then went back to New York for three years, after which
he returned to this county and settled in Mt. Morris township. Three years
later, in 1886, he moved to Montrose township, buying forty acres on which
he spent the rest of his life, dying on April 4, 1907, at the age of sixty years.
He was a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
His last wife was born on March 6, 1854, probably in the state of New
York, and when young came with her sister to Michigan. Her death occurred
on August 28, 1914, at the age of sixty years. Two children were born to
Nathaniel Bailey and his first wife, Nellie, who married Joseph Love, and
Hiram. Three children were born by his second wife, Walter C, the sub-
ject of this sketch; Edward and Frank.

Walter C. Bailey wsa educated in the public schools. He worked out by
the month when a young man, finally buying forty acres in Montrose town-
ship, where he was living when he married Ella M. Carpenter on March 18,
1899. She was born in Mt. Morris township, this county, June 3, 1878, and
is a daughter of Henry and Lillian (McDowell) Carpenter, the former of
whom was a successful farmer. His famih^ consisted of seven children,
those besides Mrs. Bailey being as follow : Maggie, who is the wife of
Frank Donnelly; Elmer, who is employed in the government mint at Wash-
ington, D. C, a twin brother of Edbert, who lives in Flint; Esther, the wife
of E. J. Cuddeback, of Owosso; Claude, who married Florence Leyrer and
is living on the old homestead, and Murel, the wife of J. C. Cuddeback, of
Flushing. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey four children have been born, namely;
Earl, born on January 4, 1900; Carl, January 27, 1901 ; Archie, January 30,
1904, and Beatrice, May 2^, 1909.

After his marriage, Mr. Bailey continued to live on his farm for four
years, then sold out and bought forty acres, later buying fifty acres adjoin-
ing. In 191 5 he bought the old homestead of forty acres and is now oper-

280 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ating unt luindred and tliirty acres, all under cultivation. He is raising an
excellent grade of live stock, including thoroughbred Holstein cattle. He
Ijuilt a good house in 191 1, which he recently remodeled. Politically, Mr
Bailey is a Republican. He ser\etl as township treasurer in 1909 and 1910.
He has also served as township constable, as justice of the peace and as
treasurer of his school district, giving eminent satisfaction in all these jxisi-
tions of public trust. He is a Ro\'al Arch Mason, a member of the blue lodge
and the chapter at Montrose, and is also a memljer of the (ileaners.

FR.WK C. HITCHCOCK.

Frank C. Hitchcock, a well-known and progressive merchant of Genesee,
this county, dealer in general hardware, implements, builders" supplies and
the like, is a native son of Michigan and has li\ed in this state all his life.
He was born in the cit\- of Saginaw, in the neighboring county of that name,
June 12, 1869, son of Henrv .\. and Catherine ( Macy ) Hitchcock, the former
a native of (^hio and the latter of Michigan, for many years well-known
residents of (ienesee to\A'nshi]_), this count}-, where the former i'; still living.

Henrv .\. Hitchcock was born on a farm in Lorain county, Ohio, in
August, 1841, and was but a youth when his parents, Samuel and Phoebe
( White 1 Hitchcock, the latter of whom was a direct descendant of Peregrine
White, came to Michigan and settled in Genesee township, this county.
Samuel Hitchcock was a blacksmith and started the first blacksmith shop in
that ])art of th.e county, at I\ears!c\'. where he continued in business for
years and where he spent the rest of his life, a useful and influential pioneer
resident. He organized the first school in Gene.-ee townslii]!. in the Tanner
district, and also organized the lirst Sunday school. Henry .\. Hitchcock
grew to manhood in Genesee township, becoming an expert blacksmith and
mill man. There he married Catherine Macy, who was bom in Lenawee
county, this state, February 22. 1844, 'i"<-l ^^h" was l>ut two or three Acars
of age when her parents, Richard and Catherine (Dallott) Macy, came tc
this countv and settled on a homestead farm in section 24, Genesee town-
ship, where they spent the remainder of their lives. i)rominent pioneer
citizens, .\fter his father's death, Henry .\. Hitchcock went to Saginaw,
wiiere be installed the machinery in R. J. Hennett's first ])laning-mill there.
He remained there as superintendent of \arious millv until ;8,So, when be
ret\irne(l to ( ienesee county, bought a forty-acre farm in section 24 of Gene.-iee

MPi. AND MRS. FItAXK C. HITCHCOCK

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 281

luwnshi]), adjoining that of his wife's old home, and there estahhshed his
liome. He still retained his practical connection with the mills after moving
there, however, and his sons managed the farm, he being thus engaged until
his retirement frum active labor some years ago. He is a member of the
liaptist church, a Republican and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
His wife died on April ii, 1915. at the age of seventy-two years. They
were the parents of two children, Samuel, who is living on the old Macy
homestead in section J4, Genesee township, and I'Vank C"., the subject of
this biographical sketch.

Frank C Hitchcock was alxnit eleven years old when his parents
returned to this county from Saginaw, the ])lace of his birth, and he cum-
i.'leted his schooling in the schools of Genesee township, after which he
became engaged in the milling business. He was thus engaged for about
ten years, for two x-ears with the Wright Lumber Gompan\- ; for two \ears
with the G. K. luldy Lumber Gumi)any ; for three }'ears with the Temple-
Lmory Milling Gompany and for some years with the Jackson Manufactur-
ing Company. In the meantime, in 1890, Mr. Hitchcock had married one
of his Genesee county neighbor girls and in 1897 he returned to this county
and opened a blacksmith shop south of the railroad in the village of Gen-
esee. In 1903 he moved that shop to the site now occupied by his hardware
store in the village and opened a store with a small stock of hardware. His
business grew from the very start and presently he erected a new store
JAiilding, moving the old luiilding to the rear, and he since has made other
additions to his store building, doubling its former capacity. He now carries,
in addition to a general line of hardware, a full line of agricultural imple-
ments, saddlery, paints, fencing, building supplies, auto supplies and the
like and is doing a very good business. Mr. Hitchcock is an enterprising
and energetic liusiness man and constructed the first cement sidewalk laid in
the village of Genesee. He has a fine white-brick residence, electrically
lighted, and he and bis family are \ery pleasantly situated. Mr. Hitchcock
is a Republican and is a member of the local school board. He is a member
of the Masonic lodge at Otisville and takes a warm interest in Masonic
affairs.

In 1890 Frank C". ?Iitchcock was united in marriage to Nettie Wert-
man, who was bom in Niagara county, New York. June 14, 1869, and who
was twelve years old when her parents, George and Mary Ann (Leib) Wert-
man, came to Michigan and settled on a farm in section 18, Richfield town-
ship, this county, where they lived until their retirement from the farm and
removal to Flint, where George \\'ertman died in 1914. His widow is now

282 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

niakinti^ lier home with her daughter, Mrs. Hitchcock, in Genesee. Nettie
\\'ertman grew to womanliood on the parental farm in Richfield township
and remained there until her marriage to Mr. Hitchcock. To that union
t\\ o children have heen bom. Mabel, born on September i8, 1892, and Royal,
July 6. 1893.

CLARENCE LUCE.

Clarence Luce, the son of Calvin W. and Florence (Sutton) Luce, was
born in Flushing township, this county, on November 7, 1875.

Calvin W. Luce was born on. October 7, 1846, in Hillsdale county. He
lived there but a few years and was bound out until he was twenty-one years
of age, to a family in Genesee county. After serving his time he began to
work for others on his own account. After a time he lx)Ught a farm just
■east of Flushing, where he lived for some years, after which he lived on
several different farms 1)efiire he located on the one near Flushing, where he
died on September 6. 191 2. He was a stanch Republican and an active
worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. He also was a member of the
order of Maccabees.

Florence (Sutton) Luce was born on March 28, 1850, in Flushing
township and in the same house where Clarence Luce was born, twenty-five
years later. She and Calvin W. Luce were the parents of four children :
Ira, a farmer of Mt. Morris township; Jennie, the wife of O. Eugene Soper,
of Mt. Morris township; Clarence, and Charles C, the latter of whom also
is a farmer of Flushing township.

Clarence Luce received his education in the schools of Flushing, Flint,
and Mt. Morris townships and later attended the normal school at Flint.
After completing his schooling he returned to the home farm, where he
assisted his father for one year, at the end of which time he purchased a
farm of eighty acres in section 25, Flushing township. He then married
Frances M. Hackney, who was born in Mt. Morris township on April 25,
1874, a daughter of Johnson and Mary (Pailthorp) Hackney.

Johnson Hackney was lx)rn in Lincolnshire, England, on May 13, 1836,
and when twenty years of age, came to the United States, with his sister,
locating in Mt. Morris township, this county, where he lived until his death
in 1905. On November 9, 1864, he was married to Mary Pailthorp, who
was born in Mt. Morris township on February 13, 1845, spent all her life
there and is l)uried on the farm where she was born. She was the daughter

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 283

ui William and Frances ( Sisson) Pailthorp, natives of England and early
settlers of this county. Johnson Hackney and wife were the parents of five
children, those besides Mrs. Luce being as follow: Edward, of Flint; Clar-
ence, of Mt. Morris township; Eugene, of Vienna township, and Reuben, of
Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Hackney were active members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church and took much interest in all church work.

Frances Luce received her education in the schools of Mt. Morris town-
ship. It was there that she grew to womanhood and was married to Clarence
Luce on December 12, 1900. To this union three children have been born:
Beatrice Mary, born on July 8, 1902; Mildred Hackney, December 14, 1904,
who died on May 27, 1914, and Marguerite Johnson, December 3, 1913.

Clarence Luce lived on his original eighty-acre farm for seven years,
during which time he added forty acres to the place. In 1908 he purchased
one hundred and ten acres in section 23, Flushing township, and there made
his home for five years. In 191 2 he bought a home in Flushing, where he
lived for two years, after which he purchased fifty-eight acres in section 25,
Flushing- township, where he has since made his home. He manages all his
farms and engaged in general farming and stock raising. He specializes in
pure-bred Holstein cattle, of which he has about twenty-five head. He raises
and feeds many hogs and sheep. Besides his other interests he owns a half
interest in the Flushing Butter Company and is a stockholder in the com-
pany that is operating the canning factory.

Politically, Mr. Luce is a Republican and takes an interest in local civic
affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Flushing and take
much interest in church work.

GEORGE E. MUNDY.

George E. Mundy was born in Clayton township, Genesee county, Mich-
igan. December 23, i860, the son of Thomas and Mary Jane (Darling)
jNIundy. Thomas Mundy was born in Devonshire, England, November 16,
1838. In July, 1850, he came to the United States with his parents, John
and Sarah (Butcher) Mundy, also natives of Devonshire. The other two
children of this family who came with their parents at that time were John
and Charles. John Mundy bought eighty acres of land in section 15, Clay-
ton township, this county, from a man who had just taken it up as govern-

284 GENESEE COUNTY, AIICHIGAN.

nient laml. It was all wild land and he began the work of clearing it up and
getting it in shape for cultivation. He built a log house and made that place
his home until his death, which occurred four years after coming to the
United States. His wife continued to live there after the death of her hus-
band, her son, Thomas, taking charge of the farm and taking care of his
mother until her death at the age of ninety-two years.

Thomas Mundy was married in March, i860, at the age of twenty-one.
He continued tt) make his home on the old home farm for many years, buy-
ing more land, from time to time, but always kept the old homestead. He
was engaged in general farming and st(3ck raising. He was township drain
commissioner for ftmrteen years, and laid out and overhauled all the drains
in Clayton township. He lield the office of justice of the ])eace and other
township offices, was administrator of se\eral estates and sersed as district
school officer and director. He was a member of the Baptist church and his
pohtical affiliation was with the Democratic party. After the death of his
first wife he married Anna Brown, now in Canada. Soon after his second
marriage he sold his homestead to his younger son, reserving only forty acres
for himself, and practically retired from active work. He is still living.

Mary Jane (Darling) Mundy, mother of (ieorge E. Mundy, was born
in Lockport. Xew York. Xovember 21, 1842, a daughter of Dr. Serenis and
Mary ((ioyer) Darling. Doctor Darling was a native of Connecticut. His
father was also a doctor, and his lineage on his mother's side, runs back to
the physician who accompanied General LaFayette to this country. His
wife was a nati\e of X'ermont, also with an ancestry dating from colonial
times. There w ere eight children in the family of Doctor and Mrs. Darling.
IClecta. -\nna, George. Serenis, Clarissa, Mary Jane, Henry and Hiram.
.Mar\- Jane Darling came to Genesee county with an uncle, William Goyer,
and li\ed on the Goyer fanu now owned by James Bendle, in Clayton town-
ship until her marriage to Thomas Mundy. To that union twelve children
were ixirn, three of whom died in infanc\-. The others are: George E., sub-
ject of this sketch; Henry, who died in Se]>tember, 1912; Sarah, who married
John 11. Callender and lives at Vpsilanti, Michigan; Charles, who lives on
the old Mundy homestead: .\nna, who married Daniel Rose, a farmer in
Clavton township; Juna and Chauncey. both deceased; Clara, who died from
accident when young; Ray, living at f'ontiac, Michigan, and 'Sla.ry Jane, who
died in 1890, aged forty-seven years.

George E. Mundy was educated in the district schools of Clayton town-
shi]). When twenty-three years old he bought forty acres of wild land in
Clavton township, which he cleared and jnU in condition for cultivatitm. He

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 285

remained on that farm until a1)out 1899, having added sixty acres more land
to his original purchase in the meantime. He sold out then and removed to
Flint, where he engaged in the produce business for about eight months, at
the end of which time he purchased one hundred and twenty-one acres of
land in Cla}"ton township and again engaged in farming, continuing thus
engaged for aliout two years. In 1902 he sold out and moved to Flushing,
where, in partnership with E. L. Bucher, he engaged in the buggy business.
.\fter five years this partnership was dissolved and George E. Mundv bought
the hotel in Flushing then known as the Eggleston House. He changed the
name to Hotel Mund}' and conducted it for seven years and two months,
at the end of which time he sold out and has since continued to look after
his farm that he has owned and operated himself for eleven years, hiring the
work done, but still living in the village. Mr. Mundy has made a success in
business, starting, as he did, in a log house on forty acres of wild land.

On November i, 1883, George E. ]\Iundy was married to Mary Vernon,
daughter of Enoch and Hannah ( Bailey ) A'ernon, who were among the early
pioneers of Flushing township. Mrs. ^Iimdy was educated in the district
fchools of the township and in the Flushing high school, and then was engaged
in teaching up to the time of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Mundy have
been liorn two children, Floy, who died at the age of fourteen years, the
result of an accident, and Hazel May, a graduate of the Flushing high school
;uid of the Michigan .\gricultural College, who taught domestic science in
the Midland high school in the year 1915. Mr. Mundy's church affiliation
is with the Presbyterian church. In politics, he is a Republican. He has
served as township treasurer of Clayton township and as drain commissioner
of Flushing township. Fie is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the blue
lodge and of the chapter at Flu.shing.

CL.\UDF. HOLDEN.

One of the most enterprising of the younger farmers of Thetford town-
ship, is Claude Hoklen, who is now the efflcient treasurer of the township.
He was born in the abo\e-named township on November 11. 1890, and is a
son of A. ]. and b'lizabeth (Craig) Hoklen. The father was born in this
countv in the vear 1849. The mother was born in Canada in 1864, and
when }-oung in A-ears she came to this county, where she met and married
Mr. Holden. Here they have engaged in general farming and are living in

286 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Alt. ]\[orris township. They are parents of four children, namely: Bertha,
who is the wife of Bert Tryon; Carrie, wife of Otis Cook; Winnifred E.,
the wife of Elias Berkman, of FHnt, and Claude, the subject of this sketch.

Claude Holden was reared on the home farm in Thetford township,
where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the district
schools, which he atterided until he was eighteen years of age. Mr. Holden
has always followed farming, and is now owner of sixty acres in section 3.
Thetford township, on which he is making a very comfortable living.

On March 2. 191 5, Claude Holden was married to Blanche Whitman,
who was reared in that same locality and attended school there, her par-
ents having settled in that part of Genesee county many years ago. To Mr.
and Mrs. Holden one child lias been born, Claude ]Max, whose birth occurred
on February 28, 10 16.

Politically, Mr. Holden is a RepubHcan and is active in the work of his
party. He was elected treasurer of Thetford township in the spring of 19 16
and is discharging the duties of that ofifice in a very creditable manner.
Fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 91. Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and Clio Lodge Xo. 205, Free and Accepted Masons.

CHARLES W. MINTO.

Charles W. Alinto, the proprietor of the "West Flint Stock Farm," in
Flint township, and supervisor of that township, was born in Caledonia
township, Shiawassee county, this state, on Jul\- 7, 1872, the son of William
B. and Almeda J. (Hanna) Minto.

William B. ]\Iinto was born in Scotland on March 15, 1846, while Mrs.
I\Iinto was a native of the state of New York, born un Augtist 20, 1847,
in Genesee county, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Minto are residents of Union
City, Michigan, where Mr. Minton is engaged in the clothing business. They
are members of and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church. They
are the parents of the following children, those besides the subject of this
.sketch being Mattie, the wife of S. T. Blackmer, of Fowlerville; Blanche, the
wife of Lee Olmsted, of Fowlerville, and George F. Minto. of Detroit.

Charles W. Minto was reared on the home farm until he was nine
years of age. when his father moved to Conmna, where he attended the
public .schdois. .\fter graduating from the high school he was employed bv
a clothing house at Union City, where he remained tor three years.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 28/

On January 6, 1892, Charles VV. Minto was united in marriage to
Amy G. Dye, who was born on August 2, 1873, i" Fhnt township. Mrs.
Minto was educated in the district schools of her home township. Mr. and
Mrs. Minto have no children of their own, but have adopted a girl who
receives the same kind attention as if she were of their own blood.

After his marriage, Charles W. Minto was for two years engaged in
the clothing business at Fowlerville and for six years in the same business
at Diirand. after which he settled on the farm where he and his family now
reside. There he devotes his attention to general farming and stock raising
and has made a success of the feeding of cattle and sheep, at times feeding
as many as three thousand six hundred head. Besides his other business
enterprises he was the founder of the Minto-\A''oodruff clothing store at Mt.
Pleasant.

Fraternally, Mr. Minto is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Tem-
plar, affiliated with the blue lodge at Newberg; with the chapter at Durand,
and with the commandery at Corunna. He also is a member of Owosso
Lodge, Benevolent Order of Elks.

Mr. Minto is a Republican and for years was treasurer of his
school district. In 1915 he was elected supervisor of his township and that
position he still holds.

HERBERT ALLEN MACPHERSON.

Herbert Allen Macpherson, a well-known and enterprising young grocer
at Flint, is a nati\e of the Dominion of Canada, but has lived in F"lint since
he was about two years of age. He was born at Aurelia, November 24,
1 88 1, son of Peter L. and Thomison (McNaughton) Macpherson, natives
of Canada, who have been residents of Flint since the year 1883.

Peter L. Macpherson was reared on a farm in Canada and became a
farmer there on his' own account, remaining there until 1883, when he came
with his family to Michigan, locating in Flint, where he ever since has been
engaged as a horticulturist. He is the eldest of the seven children born to
his parents, Allen Macpherson and wife, natives of Scotland, who emigrated
to Canada, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm. Mrs. Mac-
pherson's parents also were natives of Scotland who emigrated to Canada
and settled on a farm, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Grand-
mother McNaughton was ^Margaret Hume before her marriage. Peter L.
Macpherson and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. To them

288 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

three children were Imni. Belle, now deceased, who was the wife of Charles
R. Buchanan: Ann, whu is li\ing with lier iiarents, and flerliert A., the sul>
ject of this hio.^raphical sketch.

Herbert .\. Macpherson was about two years old when his ])arents moved
from Canada to i-"lint and he sjrew to manhood in that citv. Upon leaving
the public schools he l:egan clerking in a grocery store and thus acquired a
thorough acc|uaintance with the grocery trade as applicable to local condi-
tions. In igoS he established a store of his own and has ever since been
thus engaged, long having been regarded as one of the most energetic and
progress!\e young merchants in the city. Mr. ]\Iacpherson has a very well-
appointed and completely-stocked store at 505 Detroit street and has built
up an extensive business. In his political views he is independent and.
fraternally, he is afifiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On November 4, iQoq, Herb.ert .\. Macpherson was united in marriage
to F.thel Hovey, of Flint, who was born in that city and has lived there all
her life. She was the last-born of the four children born to her parents.
both of whom now are deceased, the other children being Helen, Clara and
Aland. Airs. Alacpherson's mother was a AIcKinley. Air. and Airs. Alac-
pherson are members of the Congregational church. They have a very
pleasant home at 718 Chippewa street.

JAAIFS A. THOAIPSOX.

In any great wheat country, like central Alichigan, there are to be found
modernly-ecjuipped mills, and the flour industry is a most important one.
This is true of Cienesee county and one of her enterprising and successful
millers is [amcs A. Thomps'in, owner of the Fenton Flour Alills.

Air. Thompson was born in Genesee county, July 4. 1868, a son of G.
L. and \"annila (\inton) Thompson. His mother was the daughter of
David A'inton. a native of Connecticut and a pioneer farmer of Tyron.
Alichigan. G. L. Thompson was born near Romeo, Alichigan. In 1866
he came t.) Genesee county, where he engaged in farming many years, later
retiring from actne life and spending his last years in Fenton, where his
death occurred on January 30, 1014. His widow still lives in Fenton. He
was a luembcr of the Presbyterian church. To these parents three children
have been iiorn, Xellie. Clark and James A.

The subiect of this sketch was educated in the common and hioh schools

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 289

of Fenton, also attended tiie local normal school. In January, 1895, '''^ "^^'^^
united in marriage with Mary Ha^es, which union has resulted in the birth
of two children, Harriet and Clark.

'Sir. Thompson began his active business career as teller in the h^enton
State F>ank; later he went to California, where he spent two years, being
emplo}'ed by the Tickner, Eurham Company, of Chico, that state. Return-
ing to Michigan, lie ran a saw-mill at Marion for eighteen years, then sold
out and for some time was connected with the firm of Hackley, Phelts Com-
pany at Hackley. Wisconsin. He returned to Fenton in 1909. He owns
the Fenton Flour Mills, which he is operating with gratifying results. He
also deals in grain, coal, cement, etc., and is also local agent for the Buick
automobile.

Politically, Mr. Thompson is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic
order and the Knights of Pythias.

CHARLES M. ECKLES.

Alanv peo])le are of the opinion that the word farming means the same
the worfd over, and so it does in a sense: yet, the methods of farming \-ary
radically in different countries, so the word means one thing to the tiller of
the soil in Michigan and quite another to the farmer of Brazil, India, or
South Africa. One of the successful hu.sbandmen of Montrose township,
this county, is Charles M. Fxkles, who was bom in this state on October 2,
1859. He is a son of John and Jane (Hulburd) Eckles. The mother was
born in Allegany count}', New York, from which she came in her youth
with her parents to Michigan, the family settling in Wayne county, where
she met and married John Eckles, and there spent the greater part of the
remainder of her life, dying in Livonia township, that county.

John Eckles was born in Yorkshire, England, and when young came
to the L'nited States, .settling in the state of Xew York, later coming to
Michigan and settling in Wayne county. ;\fter his marriage he moved to
Montrose township, this county, and purchased eighty acres in section 22,
where he spent six or seven years, at the end of which time he returned to
Wayne county, where he spent the greater part of the remainder of his life,
his last days, however, being spent in Montrose, this county. His family
consisted of eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Those reaching
(19a)

290 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

niaturit}' were as follow: Charles A!., the suhject of this sketch; Richard,
who lives in Saginaw county; Nellie May, who married Carl Pardee, and
lives in Northville, Michigan; Minnie, deceased, who was the wife of Carl
Doyle, and Lillian, wife of A. F. Hufi", of Detroit.

(, harles M. i'x-kles grew to manhood on the farm and recei\-ed his
schooHng in the district schools of Wayne county and in tlie Plymouth
high school, after which he taught school one winter in Montrose and two
terms in one school in Li\-onia township, Wayne county, and also one year
in the adjoining township of Redford. In j88i he hegan working his
father's farm, which he operated for ten years, afcer which he spent one
year. In kjoo he hought seventy acres in that section, and on this latter
l-lace he has since resided. The farm on which he now li\es was the finst
land settled in Montrose towiishiji. In i<)03 he sold the old home place
and the following year hought sixty acres in section 26. His son now
farms this latter tract. In 1906 Mr. hxkles hegan raising herries and now
has hfteen acres, four of which are in hlackherries, six acres of red and
hlack raspherries rmd aliout six acres of strawherries. Tn 1914 he l)uilt
a new barn, cement i\ooT throughout. He built another ixirn in, 191 1
and l.uih a large tool Iiouse in IQ13. I'xerything about his place is up-to-
date and in .ship-shape. He makes a specialty of raising grade Holstein
cattle, also an excellent grade of Duroc-Jer.sey hogs.

On Xo\eniher j8, 1881, Charles M. F.ckles was married to b'.liza Jane
Turner, who was horn in W^ayne count}'. Michigan, C^ctober 4, 1861. a
daughter of Robert and b'.liza J. ( (lailrell ) Turner, both natives of luig-
land, the father born in ^'ol•kshire and the mother in Hamiishire. When
young they came to Michigan, single, and at different tunes, both locating
in Wayne county, where they were married. FJe\"en children were born to
them, namely: Anna, who is the wife of Mark Preston; Elizabeth, de-
ceased, who was the wife of .\bner Austin; William H., Dan, Eliza Jane.
Frank, James, (jeorge, Lydia, who is the wife of Ulysses S. Grace; Emma
F., the wife of James C^resehover, and Caroline, the w^ife of George Clare.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fckles. F.arl L. and bethel,
luirl L. bx-kles, who was born on December 31, 1882, was educated in the dis-
trict schools and in tlie Montrose high school. Tn 1915 he married Mary
Pollard, and the\- li\e on his father's farm, which he helps operate, b'thel
lickles was born in 1888. She was educated in the district schools and in
the Montrose high school and for the pa.sl ten years has taught school in
\'ienna and Alontrose townshijis.

Politically, Mr. Fckles is a l^epublican. Tde has been justice of the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 29I

peace three terms, has also served as a nieniljer of the Ijoard of review in
h.is township and as a memljer of the school hoard of district No. i. Fra-
ternally, he is a metnher of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of
the Knights of the Maccahecs, of the local tent of which latter organization
he is past commander. He also is a member of the Gleaners and has been
secretary and treasurer of the same for eight years. He is likewise a mem-
ber of the Grange and is present master of the liical lodge, in the affairs
of which he takes a warm interest.

JAMFS ROGFRS.

An:ong the tillers of the soil in Thetford township, this county, who
not only knows how to plow and hoe, hut also knows how to manage the
busine.ss end of the farm, is James Rogers, who hails from Canada. He
was born in Victoria county, province of Ontario, September 23, 1843, and
is a son of William and Mar\' (Cruess) I'iogers. ^VilIiam Rogers was Ixirn
at New Market, Kings county, Ontario, not far from Toronto, member of
a pioneer family, the son of James Rogers, an American of means, who
emigrated to Canada and purchased from the King of England lands on a
portion of which the town of New Market now stands. James Rogers was
united in marriage to Mary A. Herman, of German descent. His father
was an .American, in a direct line of descent from the martyr, John Rogers,
who was of German descent. Mary Criiess was born in Victoria county,
Ontario, also of old j^ioneer stock, and of German and Irish descent. One
of her brothers, John Cruess, was at one time a member of the pro\incial
parliament of Ontario.-

James Rogers grew to manhood on the home farm in his native prov-
ince, and he received a common-school education. On October 27, 1867.
he married Hannah Gallinger, a daughter of James and FUen ( Bannerman)
Gallinger. The father was a native of Brockville, Ontario, and when a
young man moved to Kings county, Avhere he married, his wife being a
'.lative of that county. The family is related to that of the late Sir Henry
Campbell-Hannerman and also to that of the late Senator Gallinger, of New
Hampshire. After his marriage, James Rogers located on a farm near
where he was born, where he became owner of considerable valuable prop-
erty, some of which he still retains. He came to Michigan in July. 1905,
and located at Flint, where he lived for two years, at the end of which time

202 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

he boiiglit his present farm of two hundred and twenty acres in section 28
of Thetford township, where he has since successfully engaged in general
framing and stock raising and has made many modern improxements on. the
place, which is one of the best in the township. He has one son. Elwood
James Rogers, who is at home.

PHILIP O. EMBURY.

Another of the native sons of Genesee county who is a substantial farmer
of Grand Blanc township, is Philip O. Embury, who was born on a farm
about one mile southwest of Grand Blanc, on June 19, 1876, the son of
George M. and Margery Eveline (McFarlan) Embury.

George M. Embury was born on October 10, 1852, in Grand Blanc town-
diip, near the village of the same name, the son of David and Marcia (Morse )
Embury. David Embury was born in Avon, New York, on December 7,
1818, and came to this county with his parents, Caleb and Harriet Embury,
in the early days. They located about two miles south of the village of
Grand Blanc, at what is now called Five Points, in 1832. About two years
prior to that, Caleb Embury came to this county and entered land from the
government, and here he spent the remainder of his life, owning at the time
of his death more than one thousand acres of land. David Embury was
fourteen years old when his parents came to this county, and here he grew
to manhood and married Marcia Morse, who was a daughter of Joseph B.
Alorse, a native of Massachusetts, the latter coming to Michigan in 183 1,
and settling where now is located the city of Lapeer. He was one of the
first settlers there, and built the first frame house in that vicinity. He lived
there until 1834, when he moved to his farm, where he lived until his death
in 1854. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first school house in the
township, near Farmers Creek. He also built a hotel at Farmers Creek. He
was a prominent man in church, school and political affairs of the early days.
Marcia Morse's ancestry has been traced back to those who came to this
country in the "Mayflower" in 1620. The Embury family was of English
ancestry. Marcia Embury was the first teacher in Lapeer county, Michigan,
and was active and interesting in her conversation in her old age, and was
well known as one of the representative pioneer women of the county. David
Embury was a life-long farmer, and lived about one and a half miles west of
Grand Blanc. He was also engaged in various other business affairs, and
was for some years a director in the First National Bank, of Flint. He was

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 293

a Stanch Democrat in politics. His death occurred on June 22, 1886. His
widow died on June 26, 1901. She was a member of the Congregational
church for more than fifty years. David Embury and wife were the par-
ents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are George
M., who died in 1907; Jerome D., of Baj- City, Michigan; Elliot P., of
Morrisville, New York; Emma C, wife of A. B. Armstrong, of Guthrie,
Oklahoma, and Clara E., wife of John S. Cook, of Grand Blanc.

George M. Embury grew up on the home farm west of Grand Blanc
and attended the district schools of his home neighborhood and the high
school at Flint. In 1875 he married Margery McFarlan, who was born on a
farm one and one-half miles southwest of Grand Blanc, daughter of John
B. and Marger}- ( Hadley ) McFarlan, mention of whom is made elsewhere
in this work. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Embury located on the
farm where she was born, and where she is now living, and there Mr. Embury
spent the remainder of his life, with the exception of about two year's, which
he spent in Fhnt in the hardware and implement business; but his chief
occupation was farming, and he was the owner of two hundred acres of
land in the south part of Grand Blanc township, on which his son, Philip,
now lives. His death occurred in 1907. He and his wife were the parents
of three children, Philip O., and twins, Irving W. and George A. Irving
Embury lives at Seattle, Washington, where he is engaged as a civil engineer.
He married Lucy Bear, and they have one daughter. George A. Embury is
li\ \\Y^ nil the home farm with his mother.

Philip O. Embury spent most (^f his youth on the farm where he was
born, attending his home schools and the high school at Flint. In 1899 he
began, farming on the place where he now lives in section },2, Grand Blanc
township, and has since made that his home. He carries on general fanning
and stock raising, specializing in good draft horses and Durham cattle, for
which there is always a ready market. He has two hundred acres of good
farming land, with two houses on the place, and his farm is well kept, show-
ing the owner to be progressive and up-to-date in his methods.

On April 19, 1899, Philip O. Embury was married to Jeannette Reid,
who was born in Osco, Kearney county, Nebraska, a daughter of John and
Mary ( Ralston ) Reid, the former of whom was a native of Scotland, and
the latter a native of this country, but of Scotch parentage. John Reid came
to America when about twenty years of age and settled first in Rockford.
Illinois, where he was married to Mary Ralston. They went to Nebraska
and took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land, and there estab-
lished a home on the prairie. After several }'ears residence in Nebraska, the

294 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

family came to JMichigaii and located in Mundy township, this county, where
John Reid and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Reid was
twice married, his second wife l>eing Martha McFarland, who died in June,
1909. Mr. Reid died in December, 1907. To his first marriage there were
horn the following children: Maggie, wife of Joseph Hawk; Alex, Peter,
John, Nettie, the wife of Philip Embury, and Jennie, twin sister of Mrs.
Embury, who is the wife of Frank Cheney. The mother of these children
died on March 17, 1877, while the family was living in Nebraska.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip O. Embury are the parents of two children, Donald
R. and Marger}^ M.

FRANK H. UTLEY

Frank H. L'tley, a successful farmer of Flint township, now living at
Flint, was born on the farni he now owns, consisting of one hundred and
sixty acres, three miles west of Flint. There he was l>orn on February 18,
1859, the son of Asa and Caroline (Bristol) Utley, both of whom were
natives of the state of New York, who came to Genesee county, where they
were later married.

.\sa and Caroline Utley, after their marriage, purchased eighty acres
of land and Utley for a time was foreman at the McFarland mills, besides
looking after the interests on the farm. They were the parents of six chil-
dren, three of whom are living, Frank H. being the only son. Elma is the
wife of James Parkhur.-^t, of Plint, and Laura is the wife of Cliarles Druson,
al<o of Flint.

I 'rank H. Utley was reared on the farm in Flint township, and was
educated in the district schools. On November 21, 1883, he was imited in
marriage to Addie Oliver, who was born in Lapeer cotinty and was educated
in the Flint high school, after which, for seven years, she was a teacher in
the L'tley school, district No. 7. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. LUley
located on the farm where they remained until t<)I2, when they removed
to I- lint, where they now reside.

^Ir. and ^Irs. L'^tiey are the parents of two children, Neva, who resides
in Flint, and Charles, a graduate of the Baker Business College, who is at
in-e.tent a rural mail carrier.

l->ank H. Utlev and wife are members of the Court Street Methodist
EiMScnpal church at Flint and tak an active part in church work. Politically,
Mr. l'tley is a Republican and has served as township treasurer.

r.KNESEF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 295

EARL ECKLF.Y.

One of tlie citizens of Burton townsliip, this count}', who has always
stood for progress, not only in material things, but in civic educational
;in(l moral life is Earl E,ckle\-, who, while laboring for his own welfare,
h;is ne'-cr been neglectful of the good of his neighbors and the general
pu);lic. He was born in (irand Blanc, this coimt}', November 14, 1852,
a son of William and l^lsie ( Gillett ) Eckley. The father was born in
181 1 in De\-onshire, Juigland, where he !i^'ed until he was twenty-one years
of age, being reared on a farm. Then, in 1832, he set sail for America,
locating in New ^ork City, where he learned the wagon-maker's trade
and was marritcl in 1835. His wife, Elsie Gillett, was born in iSig in
.\\on. New Vork, of pure Yankee extraction. Shortly after their marriage
William Eckley and wife came to Alichigan, locating in Grand Blanc town-
ship, this county, \\here Mr. Eckley secured ten acres on a trade, which
he later sold and then bought sixty acres. Working hard and managing
well he pros])ered and added to his original holdings until he at one time
owned two hundred and seventy-fi\-e acres, all in Grand Blanc township.
.After selling one hundred acres he moved to the A'illage of Grand Blanc,
larer selling out and moving to Watersville, in Tuscola county, where his
death occurred in 1894. His wife died many years before, in 1869. They
were jjarents of eleven children, namely: Sarah, who died in infancy:
Eliza Jane, the widow of i^'ran.k Cousins: William Henry, deceased: Charles
H.. deceased: Charlotte .\., widow of M. Bardwell, now living in Jackson,
Mississippi: Clara, deceased: Effie E., the widow of John Hughes of Tus-
cola countv, this state: F.arl, the subject of this sketch: Andrew J., deceased:
Daniel, deceased, and Fred, who !i\es near Reed Cit}-, in Osceola county,
this state. Following the death of the mother of these children William
Ecklev married Amelia ^^'illiamson, to which union was born one child,
Clema, who is now li\-ing in the West.

lu-irl Eckley grew uj) on the home farm and receixed a common-school
education, remaining at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years
of age, when he began working the home place on the shares, remaining
there for five years after his marriage. He then moved to Mundy town-
shijj, where he lived nineteen years at the end of which time, in igot, he
located in Burton township, where he lived for five years. He moved to
his present farm in 1906. and in the following year liought the place, which
consists of one hundred and twenty acres in section 16, one and one-half
miles from Flint.

296 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. ■

On December 18. 1S77, Karl ICckley was married to Klnora Alexander,
who was ijorn in Flint townshij), this county, October 17, 1857, a dautrhter
of John and Rosalie (Beamer) Alexander. John Alexander came with his
father from the state of Xew York to Genesee county in an early day, the
family settling in Burton township. Rosalie Beamer was also born in Xew
V^rk state and she came with her parents to this locality when young and
here met and married Mr. .Vlexander. after which the}' settled in Mint
township. She died in iSf.g. aged thirty-eight years. Mr. .Vlex-
ander survived her until 1Q07, having spent most of his life in Mint town-
ship. They were parents of five children, namely: Wallace, deceased;
Elnora, wife of Mr. Eckley. the subject of this sketch: John, living in
Mundy township; Phillip, who li\-es in Burton township, and Fred, who
lives in Montrose township, .\fter the death of his first wife, John .\lex-
ander married Deborah ?^Iorton, and to them three children were l)orn.
namelv: -Mgie. a lake captain, who lives near Milwaukee; Mrs. Lois l*in-
ney, a widow, living near Cheboygan, Wisconsin, and Hilary, who is married
and lives at Spokane, Washington.

To I\Ir. and Mrs. Earl Eckley five children ha\e been born, namely:
Ward W., who is a carpenter and lives in Flint; Bertha i\Iay, who died in
infancy: T^lsie, who lives at home; Orrio Belle, also at home, and Dorris B.,
who was graduated from the Mint high school in 1915, and is now eni-
ploved as bookkeeper in the Buick automobile factory at Flint.

Politically, Mr. Eckley is a Republican. He served as school assessor
and as school director for six years while living in Mundy township.

WARREN G. RIPLEY.

The career of ^.\■arrcn (i. Ripley, now living in retirement in the village
of Linden, has been a varie.i and interesting one — farmer, blacksmith, sailor
and .soldier, being one of the ^•eterans of the "grand army" that saved the
nation in the dark days of the sixties; but he is, first and foremost, a good
citizen in the fullest sense of the term. He was born in \\'ashington county.
New ^'ork, iMarch r, 1842, and is a son of George W. and Cynthia (Hol-
brook) Ripley, both natives of the state of New York, the father born on
November 19, 1819, and the mother at Whitehall in 1823. Grandfather
Ripley, who was known as "Doctor," although no physician, served in the
Revolutionary War and the subject (<i this sketch has a fife used by him at

U^i^^/A^^ij^

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 297

the battle of Saratoga, October 9. 1777. He spent his hfe in Vermont and
New ^'ork, dx'ing near Oswego, in the latter state. The parents of \\'arren
G. Ripley grew up in their nati\e state and were married in Washington
county, Xew York. The_\- came to Genesee county, Alichigan, in 1852 and
the following year bought eighty acres in section 9. l-"enton township, which
the father cleared, and they spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring
in 1897; his wite survived until 1902, reaching an advanced age. They
belonged to the Methodist ch.urch in Linden. They were parents of the fol-
lowing children: Warren G., of this sketch; Mary, deceased; Margaret,
deceased ; Viola ; Eugene ; l{lmer, deceased.

Warren G. Ripley was ten years old when he came with his parents to
Michigan, and here he assisted his father clear his lantl and establish the
family home in the \\ilderness. He rccei\'ed a meager education in the pio-
neer district schools. Upon reaching maturity he married, on March 14,
1864, at Holly, Michigan, Mary E. Lo\-eless, a nati\-e of Corning, Xew
York, and a daughter of Isaac and Prudence Loveless. To their union four
children v.-ere born, namely, Mahlon, who died aged five years; George I.,
who lives in East St. Louis, Illinois; Clara A., the wife of Charles B. Ebert,
of Parkersburg. Vv'est \'irginia : John M., who married Xellie INIcLean and
lives in Linden.

Air. Riplev enlisted, on May 9, i86f, in Comjian}- K, Second Michigan
N'olunteer Infantry, but was transferred to Battery H, Eirst United States
.\rtillery, January 14, 1863, in which he remained until 1867, his life as a
soldier thus extending over a period of fi\'e years, nine months and one da}'.
He ser\-ed all through the (ri\ il War with crcflit and ability and took part
in many of the great battles of th.e war, ser\'ing under Generals McDale.
McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, Meade and Grant. He escaped without injury.
He was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was discharged with that title.

When a young m.an Mr. Ripley learned the blacksmith's trade, which
he followed in Linden for some time. Later, he was employed in the Flint
Wagon Works six years, then engaged in farming for some time, but moved
to Linden in 191 1 where he (iwns a house and lot. also eighty acres of land
in section 15, Eentnn township. After leaving the army, he located on a
farm here. About the year i860 he sailed on the Great Lakes on the "Ever-
green City." which plied between Chicago and Collingwood, also made one
trip by lioat down the Mississippi river and return.

Mr. Riidey is a member of the Se\"entli-Day .\d\entist church and,
pulitically. is a Republican.

298 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

GRAXT DELBRIDGE.

Grant Delbriclge, a farmer and stock raiser of Flushing township, was
horn in Hazelton townsliip. in the neighboring county of Shiawassee, on
(October 10. 1868, the son of John L. and Susan (Stone) Delbridge.

John L. Delbridge, tlie son of William and Grace Delbridge, was born
in the state of New York on August 3. 1839. The parents, William and
Grace Delbridge were born in England, where they grew to manhood and
womanhood and were married. They came to the United States in 1835 and
for some years lived in the state of New York. The family later came to
Michigan, and for a few years lived in Clinton county, Ijefore the}' bought
the farm near Brent Greek. They had lived there about a few years when
(Irace Delbridge died. William Delbridge. after the death of his wife, moved
to Mushing, where he conducted a blacksmith shop until his death in 1870.
To William and Grace Delbridge were born the following children: Mary
(deceased), John, Lucy (deceased), Louise, who died on August 7. 1916;
Louis, William, Grace ( deceased ) and James, who died when but a child.

John L. Delbridge came to Michigan with his parents when but four
years of age. Here he received his education and grew to manhood. At
the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-third Regi-
ment Michigan \'olunteer Infantry, and was in the service until 1865. He
was in many important engagements and was once wounded. He was with
Sherman on the march to the sea. On his return after the war. he discon-
tinued his work as a lihicksmith, and bought a farm near Hazelton where he
li\e(l for some years. He later removed to A'ernon. Shiawassee county,
where he still resides.

John L. Delbridge as a young man was married to Susan Stone, of
r'lushing, the daughter of \\'illiam and Betsy Stone. She was born on .\pril
-7- 1839, in Oakland county, where her parents had settled after leaving their
home in the state of New York. Mrs. Delbridge died on June 18, 1901.
To John L. and Susan Delljridge were born five children. Grant, W^ilber.
William, Dimmic and Clarence.

(Irant Delbridge recei\ed his education in the log school house of
Hazelton and the Center. He lived at home until he was twenty-one years
of age. after which he rented a farm northwest of Lathrop, Hazelton town-
ship, Shiawassee coimty, and began active life as a farmer.

On September 16. 1891, Grant Delbridge was united in marriage to
Jennie Hart, the daughter of John and liarriet (Farnsworth) Hart. To
this union the following children were born: Laverne, born on July 28,

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

299

1892: Grace, October 21, 1893, wife of Milton Smith; Florence, April 3,
1899; Ross, February 25, 1901, and Olive, February 22, 1904.

John Hart, a native of Scotland, and his wife, settled in Oakland county
in early life and it was there that their daughter, Jennie, was born. When
she was one year old the family moved to Montrose township, where they
lived fiir eleven 3'ears. They then moved to New Lathrop, where Harriet
Hart died. Soon after the death of his wife, John Hart bought a farm near
New Lathrop and there made his home until his death, in 1896.

Soon after his marriage, Grant Delbridge rented a farm west of New
Lathrop, where he lived vintil he rented another farm north of Flushing,
where he and his family lived for over nine years. They later resided on a
farm east of Flushing for one year, and then, for seven years, on a farm
near Flushing. In 1908 they purchased a farm of eighty acres in section 25.
Flushing township. In 1910 they moved onto the farm they had purchased
two years before, and still make that place their home. There Mr. Delbridge
is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is interested in Holstein
and Durham cattle and Duroc hogs. His farm is in excellent condition, well
developed and improved. The house, a modern structure, was built in 191 1
and the barns, one thirty-si>{ by forty-eight feet and the other thirtv-six bv
fifty feet, are model buildings.

Politically. Mr. Delbridge is a Republican and has served his township
as a member of the school board for many years. Fraternally he is a mem-
ber of the Yeomen at Flint.

HENRY H. K.VFIL

This well-known citizen was one of the loyal supporters of the Union,
who went out to fight for its preservation over a half century ago, when the
slaveholders undertook to separate the slave states from the free states and
to establi.sh a slave republic in the southern half of the United States. It
gives the historian jileasure to place on record the careers of the "toys in
blue." for their sacrifices w ere too great not to deserve ample mention in the
annals of the race.

Henry H. Kahl, retired farmer of Flushing township, this county, was
born in Richmond county, Ohio, Septeml>er 12, 1836, and is a son of Henry
Kahl. a native of Pennsylvania, who, in 1824. moved to Richland county.
Ohio, a pioneer, and there cleared land and devoted his life to farming.

300 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

cl}-ing there. He was a \\h'\g until 1836, when he allied himself with the
newly-orji^anized Re]5ublican partv. He was a Dunkard in religion. He
married Susan Rank, who was horn in Pennsylvania in 1801. To these
parents thirteen children were horn. Of these. Caroline, Lucinda, Isabelle,
Mary and Hannah, all horn in Pennsylvania, are all deceased. The eight
following were born in Ohio : Levina, deceased : Aaron, who died in early
life; Henry H., the subject of this sketch: John, who is living at Andrews,
Indiana : George, deceased ; Ezra, now li\ing at Young America, Indiana,
and Cassie, who died in infancv.

Henry H. Kahl grew up on the home farm in ()hiii, where he worked
hard when a boy. and he receixed h.is education in the district schools. He
remained at home until he was eighteen years old, when he went to Vcjung
America. Indiana, and worked at the -carpenter's trade six years, then re-
turned to Ohio and was engaged in the threshing Inisiness with his brothers
for two years. During the first year of the Civil \\'ar he enlisted in Com-
pany I. Fifteenth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but on account of
illness was not able to go to the front at once. One year and three months
later, August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Twenty-
first Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in w'hich he saw a great deal of
active service. His first battle was that of Perryville. Kentucky. October
8, f862. He also fought at Chickamauga, one of the greatest battles of the
war, and at Alissionarv Ridge. He also took part in the .\tlanta campaign
under General Sherman, and fought at Rome, Dallas Creek, Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and Atlanta, Georgia : and at Aversbon^
and Bentonville. Xorth Carolina. He marched with Sherman to the sea,
thence northward throtigh the Carolinas, jind was in the Grand Review in
\\'ashington. D. C, at the close of the war. He then was honorablv dis-
charged and returned home.

On May 17, 1866. Henry IT. Kahl was married to },Fargaret C/liurch.
who was born in Ohio, May 17. 1S43, '^ daughter of William and Margaret
( Scott') Church, pioneers of Ohio, and parents of ten children. Thomas.
Elizabeth. Caroline. Bushnell, \'anier, Sallie Ann. Rachel. Alfred, Margaret
and Galord, all of whom are now deceased with the cxcepticMi of Mrs. Kahl.

Eight children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Kahl, namelv: Jennie,
born in Ohio. .Vpril 8. 1867, now deceased; Mary, born in Michigan, Xo\em-
ber 8. 1868. who married Melvin Ball, a farmer of near Brent Creek: Bis-
mark. born on October 28. 1870, is now living on the homestead near Brent
Creek; \\'illis. December jy. 1872, is farming in Flushing townshi]): Flarry.
March i(), 1876, lives in Vjisilanti, this state; Frank, October jo, 1870, now

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3OI

flfceased ; the se\-entli cliik! died in infancy, unnamed; Erma. August 2,
iX8q, now deceased.

Mr. Kahl is an independent voter. He served as justice of the peace
in Klusliing; township f(M- one term. He is a member of the Grand Army of
the Rep.ublic, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
He is a man of exemi)Iary character, has followed the Golden Rule and has
never been sued or sued a man and has never been on the witness-stand. He
and his faithful life companion took an extended trip during the winter of
IQ15-16 through the South, \-isiting the scenes of the many battles in which
he fi)ught.

]\Ir. Ka.hl has devoted his active life to general fanning and stock
raising. He came to Genesee county in 1868 and purchased a farm in Flush-
ing township, on which he li\-ed until retiring from active life. He is now
in his eightieth year, but is hale and hearty. He and his good wife have
traveled life's winding jiathwa}- together for more than fifty years and
are highly respected by all who knov>' them.

FRANCIS WHITAIORE.

Many were the hardships and privations endured by the early pioneers,
but they were courageous and were willing to "labor and to wait." knowing
that future years would find life easier for them as well as for their children.
Francis Whitmore, a venerable farmer of Gaines township, is one of this
hardy band of frontiersmen who is deserving of the thanks of the present
generation. He was born near Liverpool, New York, July 14, 1840. He
came to Michigan with his parents, the family locating in Livingston county,
where he grew to manhood. His parents resided in Dearfield township on
a small farm from 1844 to 1852, then moved to Genesee county, locating in
Gaines township, which was then practically a wilderness; thus during the
period of sixty-four years that the subject of this sketch has lived here he
has seen the country transformed to one of the leading farming communities
in the state, and he has done his share of this work. His wife, whose maiden
name was Sophia Burton, was a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Putnam)
Burton, and she was born in Lyons township, Oakland county, Michigan,
May 31. 1837. where she resided until she was eighteen j^ears old. She
received a good education for those early days and was given a certificate to
teach school, teaching in her native township for one term before coming to

302 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Genesee ci)unt\', where she continued teachinj^ in Gaines township for seven
years. She anil Francis Whitniore were married on February 28, 1866.
'i1iey at once settled on a farm of eighty acres in Gaines township, where
they ha\e since resided, being well known and highly respected by all.

Mr. Whitmore enlisted for service in the Union army, from Deerfield.
Livingston county, Septemljer 10, 1861, in Company I, Eighth Regiment.
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in which he served eighteen months. He was
wounded on June 16, 1862, at the battle of James Island and spent the fol-
lowing nine months in the hospital. He was honorably discharged on March
27, 1863. Returning to Genesee county, he continued to reside with his
parents until his marriage in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore two children
iia\'c lieen born, William D., \\'ho lives in Deer, and Effie L., the wife of
Charles J. Shaw, of Owosso.

Politically, ^Ir. Whitmore is a Republican. He is a member of Samuel
.\therton Post No. 116, Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Gaines township. She was
formerlv one of the leading workers in the Duffield church.

HARRY C. HILL.

Harry C. Hill, a prominent farmer and the proprietor of "Maple Wood
Farm," five miles west of Flint, was born on the farm he now owns, on
September 29, 1872, son of George J. W. and Helen (Bidwell) Hill.

George Hill was liorn in Bisle\-, luigland, and came to the United
States at the age of fourteen years. He later came to Michigan, locating at
Ypsilanti, where he learned the cabinet-makers trade. In 1840 he engaged
in the furniture and undertaking business at Flint, being tbe first undertaker
in that place. He made his own coffins and furniture. In 1870 he sold the
business and retired to a farm, where he lived until his death, which occurred
on June i. 1901. His wife died in 1893. Politically, George Hill was a
Democrat and took an active part in local politics, always looking to the
interests of tile community and looking to the selection of the best men to
ofiice. He was a member of the Episcopal church, while his wife was a
member of the Presbyterian church.

George and Helen Hill were the parents of eleven children, three of
whom are living. Flora, Arthur and Harry C. Flora Hill is a graduate of
the University of Michigan and is teaching in the Northern State Normal

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3O3

School at Marquette. She has Ijeen in Europe three times furthering her
education. Arthur G. Hill is now a resident of Shelby, Michigan.

Harr)' C. Hill was reared on the farm and received his education in the
district schools and in the high school at Flint. Mr. Hill has always taken
an active interest in politics and has been a delegate to the county, state and
national conventions. His influence has always laeen exerted in behalf of
clean policies and good men in public office.

ARA G. EDSON.

.\ra G. J'Mson. a farmer and stockman, living on his farm, known as
"Chestnut Earm," six miles southwest of Mint, was born in Gaines town-
ship, this count}-, August 20, 1862, the son of Arving and Philena (W'ether-
b}- ) f^dson.

.\rving Edson was Ijorn in Massachusetts and later lived in Vermont,
wlicre he met and marrieil I'hilena Wetherby, who was of English decent.
After their marriage the\- came to Michigan and settled not far from Lapeer,
where thev purchased a farm in 1856 and lived until i860. At that tim'.-
the\- sold the farm and moved to Gaines township, this county, where Mr.
ImIsou lived until the time of his death in 1864. Mrs. Edson later married
Otis Edson with whom she lived until her death in 1874. Arving and Philena
Edson were the parents of four children: George, a resident of Jackson
county; Lvdia, the wife of Albert Vincent of Durand; Elizabeth, the wife
of John \incent, of Durand, and .\ra, the subject of this sketch.-

.\ra lulson liegan to work for others, by the month, when he was but
thirteen years of age and continued to do so until June 6, 1886, when he was
married to Rena Utley, the daughter of Mallory and Julia (Curtis) Utley,
the former of whom was a native of the state of New York, who came with
his parents to Michigan as a \'oung man. Julia Curtis was born in Genesee
county. After their marriage, Mallory Utley and wife located in Farming-
ton township and later in Mundy township where they resided until they
moved to Flint, where Mr. Utley died in 1914. They were the parents of
three children, Rena, Willard C. and Clyde.

After his marriage, Ara G. Edson bought a farm in Vernon township,
where he lived for twelve years, at the end of which time he sold the farm
and rented for five years, after which he purchased the one hundred and
fiftv-five acres where he and his family now live.

^^04 GENKSEE COT-XTY, MICHIGAN.

Ara G. Edson and wife are the parents of two children. Ray A., who
married Florence Fowler and has three children. Robert A.. Gerald X..
Ralph A., and tllenn G., who is at home.

Mr. Edson is a meniL-er of the Gleaners and of the Grange, in both of
which organizations he has filled all the chairs. Mrs. Edson is a member of
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and takes much interest in the
work of that organization. Mr. Edson takes much interest in local politics
and has served as township treasurer, as highway commissioner and as jus-
tice of the peace.

lOHX FI. lEXXIXGS.

When a young man, John IF Jennings, now living in honorable retire-
ment in F^nton, xMichigan, developed a laudable desire not only to accomplish
something worth while, but also to be of service to his associates on the high-
way of life. Thus it is not to be wondered at that he has not only acquired
a comfortable competency, but has also long occupied an envied position as
a useful citizen,

^Ir. Jennings was born in Kent, Ohio, Jaiuiary 25, 1863, and is a son
of H. X. and Lydia A. ( Peck) Jennings. The father came to Michigan in
1867. after having marrictl in Columbus, Ohio. He was a printer by trade
and for some time worked on The Ohio State Journal, published at Colum-
bus. This was in the pioneer days when most of the news that went into
the paper was obtained from the passengers on the stage coaches. After
coming to Genesee county he established the Fenfon Independent, which
newspaper he published with success for a period of forty years. His death
occurred in March, 1013, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He
was active in Rei)ublican politics from the time that party was organized
back in the fifties until his death. He was a member of the Pioneer Asso-
ciation here and served on the village board many times. He was a member
of the Masonic order. Fie continued to own and publish the Independent
until his retirement from active life in 191 1, when he sold the plant to S. F.
Beach, the present publisher. His wife preceded him to the grave on June
13, 1902, at the age of seventy-fi^•e years. To these parents four children
were born, namely: Elizabeth, who has remained single; Clara, who mar-
ried C. D. Thompson: Cora, who married .\, L, Craft, and John H,. of this
sketch.

John H, Jennings received his education in the public schools and in the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3O5

L'iii\ersit\- of Alichigan, where lie spent four years, graduating from tliat
institution in 1S83. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
.\fter his graduation, he identified himself with his father's newspaper,
becoming manager. He has been living in retirement for some time. He
owns fifteen acres adjoining the town of Fenton and on this he makes his
home. He also owns a valuable and well-improved farm of one hundred
and forty-five acres in this township.

Air. Jennings was married on Februar_\- 6, 1892, to Mary E. Reeson,
who was born on July 18, 1863. She was a daughter of John and Mary
-\nn (Thompson) Reeson, pioneers of Genesee county, there being but four
buildings on the ])resent site of Fenton when they came to this \icinity.
They took up a homestead and dcvelo])ed a good farm through their industr\-
and perseverance. Tslrs. Jenning> \\'as a member of the Presbyterian church
and a lady of many estimable qualities. She was called to her eternal rest
on I'-ebruary 28, 191 4.

Politically, Air. Jennings has been active in the Republican party ever
since attaining his majority, but he has never sought public prefemient. He
is a member of the library commission and h;is been super^'isnr of his town-
shi]) for a ])eriod of ten )ears.

ROBERT C. DAATSOX.

Robert C Davison, of Thetford township, this county, is a type of
modern farmer, a man who uses more brains than brawn in operating his
place. He was born on the far-away hills of "bonnie Scotland," the land of
heath and heather, of Bruce and Burns — the land of romance. His birth
occurretl in Fifeshire on May 16, 1869. He is a son of William and Isabelle
(Chapman) Davidson. The father was born in Strathmiglo, Scotland, where
he was reared and learned the trade of weaver, which he followed for a liveli-
hood. Isabelle Chapman was also born and reared in that town and there they
were married. In 1884, when their son, Robert C, was fourteen years old,
they immigrated to the United States, proceeding directly to Flint, where
the father worked in the mills there for six months, then bought a farm in
the northeastern corner of Thetford township, where he spent the rest of
his life, dving in February, 1913. His wife preceded him to the grave on
August I, 1910. Seven chiklren were born to these parents, namely: James.

(203l)

306 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

who lives in Detroit; Marguerite, wife of David Richardson, of FHnt; Anne,
the widow of David Fisher, Hves in FHnt; Robert C, the subject of this
sketch; William, who lives in Forest township; Christina, wife of Frank
Hammil, of Plymouth, Michigan, and David, who lives on the old home-
stead.

Robert C. Davidson spent his boyhood in Scotland and attended the
public schools there, from which he was graduated. Upon coming to Mich-
igan he found employment at Flint with W. A. Patterson, with whom he
remained for ten years, from the age of fifteen to twenty-five. He lived at
home for awhile after that and then worked in Forest township for Mary
McClew, and while there married on February 24, 1904, Leona McClew. ;i
daughter of Alex and Mary McClew, both natives of Scotland, from which
country they came as children to the United States, with their parents, the
families locating in this county, where Mr. and Mrs. McClew married. Mr.
Davidson has worked hard and been economical and is now owner of a
neatly-kept and productive farm of ninety-five acres in section 15, Thetford
township.

[).\XIEL T. lOHXSTOX.

Daniel J. Johnston, retired farmer of Flushing township, this county,
has exercised such sound judgment and persistency in his active career that
he has been able to earn a good livelihood and rear his family in comfort,
notwithstanding the usual adversities tliat occasionally beset the pathway of
every mortal. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, September 7, 1844,
and is a son of Thomas Scott Johnston, who was lx)rn in the same locality,
and wlio died when l^aniel J. was two and one-l:alf years old. In 1840 the
father, who was a carjjenter. moved to Olga, Byron county, Illinois, and
wliile working in the lumber camps on Rock ri\er getting out timber, got
Inu-t and caught coUl, which resulted in his death in 1847. He was a Whig
and a Presln'terian. lie married Mary J. Roe, who was born in Richland
countv, Oliio, March i, 1822, and to that union two children were born,
Daniel J., tlie subject of this sketch, and Joseph R., whose birth occurred
on September 7, 1846. Joseph R. Johnston enlisted, after the third attempt,
in the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, in the spring of 1864. His first service was
at Johnson's Island, where he spent six months guarding Confederate pris-
oners. While there he contracted the measles, which deprived him of the
i)ower of speecli for three months. He remained in the service until the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3O7

close of the war, then came to Michigan, where he made his home with the
subject of this sketch, his health having been permanently impaired as a
result of his services in the army. His death occurred in St. Louis, Mis-
.souri, in 1901.

Thomas and Elizabeth Roe, the maternal grandparents of Daniel J.
Johnston, were natives of Vermont, from which state they moved to Rich-
land county, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were the
parents of eight children, Joseph, Thomas, Washington, Mary J., who mar-
ried Thomas S. Johnston : Elizabeth, Sallie, Lucinda and Anderson, of
Iowa.

Daniel J. Johnston was but a child when the family went to Illinois
from Ohio, making the trip in a one-horse buggy. After the death of the
father, the mother went 1>ack to Richland county, Ohio, with her children,
after spending two years in Illinois, and the subject of this sketch remained
in Ohio until 1867, when he came to Michigan, bringing a team of horses,
and worked in the Imnber woods one year. In the spring of 1868 he settled
with his mother in Flushing township, this coimty. buying a farm there the
following year, and there he carried on general farming and stock raising
for many years, finally selling out and buying a farm of sixty acres in sec-
tion 4, where he still lives, being now retired from the active labors of the
farm.

Mr. Jolmston was married in 1869 to Elizabeth Demming, who was
l;orn in Whiteside county, Illinois, January i, 1846, her parents being early
settlers of that locality. Her father was a soldier in the Civil War and died
while in the service. His widow survived until 1912. Mrs. Johnston died
on September, 18, 1886, leaving five children, namely: Joseph, born on June
13, 1870, who is now engaged in the hay-brokerage business in the state of
Washington; Hattie D., June i, 1872, who married William Hudson, of
Galesburg, Illinois: Mary J., September 15, 1873, who died on July 31,
1891 : Ethel M.. May 2, 1875, who married Warren Vernon, a merchant, of
Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Lucinda P., May 18, 1878, who married George
Dunham, a farmer, of Flushing. In 1896 Daniel J. Johnston married Mary
A. Call, who was born in the village of Flushing, this county, in 1857. Her
parents, who were early settlers in Flushing, are now deceased.

Mr. Johnston is a Prohibitionist and an independent voter. He is a
member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder for the past
twenty years. He has traveled extensively, having been across the United
States four times, taking dift'erent routes each time. He also took an ex-
tended trip to Europe, going from Montreal, Canada, to England ; then

308 GKNKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

visited h^rance, Belgium and Scotland, returning to America by way of
Liverpool and New York. In August, 1916, Mr. Johnstop took a trip to
Colorado and on the way he stopped at Reynolds, Nebraska, and visited his
father's youngest sister, eighty-five years old, the only remaining one of the
familv. He also went to Byron and visited his father's grave and while
there he had the ]ileasure of visiting three cousins, the children of .\nsa
[ohnston, his father's brother. One of these cousins is a preacher, living at
Kansas, Missouri. One as a doctor, living in Byron. Illinois, and the other
is a farmer, living at the same place.

FRED R. OTTAWAY.

It is a great privilege to be able to spend one's life on the old home
place. "The roof that heard our earliest cr\" has a charm and fascination
for us which we cannot find elsewhere, and no matter where on earth our
restless footsteps wander we ever long to be back under the old roof -tree.
However, this is by no means practicable to most people. Fred R. Ottaway
was bcjrn on the farm where he now lives in Clayton township, this county,
December 18, 1867. He is a son of James E. and Eliza (Ryno) Ottaway.
The father was born in Maidstone, County Kent, England, October 17,
1835, and was a son of Stephen and Mary (Ralph) Ottaway. In 1839,
when James E. was four years old, the family came to the United States,
locating in Flint, Michigan, in the spring of that year, and Stephen and
two of his sons located in Flushing townshi]), now Clayton township. There
were no roads of any kind hereabout in those days and they followed an
old railroad slashing. Stephen Ottaway had acquired fifteen acres from
two brothers who had iireceded him here two years previously from Eng-
land. On this land he erected a log cabin, in which he settled his family in
the fall of 1830. He worked hard and eventually l^ecame the owner of one
hundred and eight acres, and there he spent the rest of his life, dying in
184S. lames ¥.. Ott^wav luirchased the interest of the other heirs and re-
mained on the place, which he added to until he owned three hundred and
thirty-two acres, the area the farm still covers. He added many iniprove-
nients to the place and became one of the leading general farmers in the
township. He continued to live there until 1880. In 1888 he had built the
first grain elevator in I'lushing and moved there the following year and
operated the elevator successfully until his death on ^Ntay 12. 1895. His

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. JJOQ

tMiriily consisted of three children, namely: Fred R.. the suhject of this
'^ketch ; Winifred, the wife of H. H. Prosser, of Flushing, and Claude \'.,
wliM is connected with the Citizens ("ommercial Savings Bank, of F'lint.
I'olitically, James 1'".. Ottaway was a Democrat and was clerk of Clayton
township continuotisly for twenty-five years. lie also served one term as
superx'isor. He v.as a memher of th.e local tent of the Knights of the Mac-
cahees at F^lushing.

Fred R. Ottaway received his elementary education in the district
schools and later attended a business college in Flint for nine months. He
worked oti the home farm until the fall of 1888, when he moved tn hdush-
ing and was connected with the elevator business, with his father, until [894.
when he took active charge of the same, for some time having charge of
two elevators, one of which he still owns. He moved 1)ack to the homestead
farm in r')i5 and has <ince been actively engaged in general farming and
stock raising.

On January 11, 1893, I>ed R. Ottaway was married to Xettie M.
Phelps, a daughter of Cyrus and Jennie (Davis) Phelps. Cyrus Phelps was
hern in Cenesee county. Xew York, on a farm, where he remained until he
went to Illinois. While there the Ci\il War broke out, and he enlisted in
Comi anv A. Tenth Regiment, Missouri \'olunteer Infantry, in which he
serxed gallantl\- until the close of the war, l>eing promoted for meritorious
condtict to sergeant. After the war he took a position with the United
States Express Company, with which he remained until his health failed,
whereupon he returned to Illinois, where he had pre\iously purchased a farm,
and in 1888 moved thence to Mushing, this county, engaging there in the
hardware business for man}- years, but is now retired from active life. To
him and his wife three children were born, namely; Cyrus. mIio died wlien
two years of age; Nettie M., wife of Mr. Ottaway, and Merton D.. who is
engaged in the hard\\are business in Fiu.shing.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ottaway five children have been born, nanielv:
Marion E.. who was graduated from the Mushing schools and from the
Baker Business College in Flint and is now employed as stenographer for
the Michigan Motor Castings Companv : Ralph J., who was graduated from
the Flu.shing schools and is now at home: Stuart P., who is attending high
school in Flint: Marjorie, who is also attending the Flint high .school, and
James E.

Politicall}-, Mr. Ottaway is a Republican. He was supervisor of F""lush-
ing township from 1903 to i9t^. inclusive, and in 1901 and 1902 was town-
ship treasurer. Previously he had been village president. In 1913 he was

3IO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

elected county road commissioner, which office he still holds. Mrs. Ottaway
is a member of the Methodist church at Flushing. Fraternally, he is a mem-
ber of Flushing Lcxige No. 223, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Flint
Rapids Chapter No. 116, Royal Arch Masons, while he and his wife are
charter members of Flushing Chapter No. 176, Order of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Ottaway is a past master and past high priest of the Masonic lodge at
Flushing and takes a warm interest in Masonic afifairs. The Ottaways have
a verA' pleasant home and take an earnest interest in the general social
activities of the community in which they live, helpful in promoting all
movements designed to ad\-ance the common welfare thereabout.

ELVAH VICTOR PARTRIDGE.

Elvah Victor Partridge, a prominent farmer of Genesee county was
born on a farm in Flushing township on May 15, 1881, the son of William
E. Partridge and wife. He grew to manhood on the home farm, where
he now resides, and was educated in the schools of Flushing township and
at the Flint Normal School. After completing his schooling he returned
to the home farm and assisted in the management of the place. At the
■death of his parents, he purchased one hundred acres of the heirs in section
12, Fliishin.g township. Since that time Mr. Partridge has added to the
farm forty acres in section 6 of Mt. Morris township. He has a well-culti-
vated farm and has impro\ed the same in admirable fashion. There he is
doing general farming and is also interested in the raising of Durliam cat-
tle and Duroc hogs. He also handles a number of good sheep.

William K. and Sarah (McDowell) Partridge, the parents of Elvah V.
Partridge, were torn in the state of New York and in Flushing township,
this countv, respectively, the former on February 21, 1841, and the latter
on January 3, 1849. William E. Partridge came to this county as a young
man and settled in section 12 of Flushing township, where he lived until
his death in 1908. His widow survived him about four years, her death
occurring on February 15, 1912. They were tl:e parents of four children.
Earl, Herman, Elvah and one who died in infancy.

Earl Partridge was born in Flusliing township on November 14, 1873.
There he grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in the district school and
at the Flushing high school. Fie later attended the Flint Nonnal School
and then took a course in engineering and for a time operated the engine at

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3II

the fire-clay pit. He also operated the engine for the Armstrong Spring
Company for a year, at the end of which time he returned to the old home-
stead and worked the farm for his mother and at her death purchased sixty
acres of the place, to which he has added twenty acres.

On .\pril 22, 1900. Earl Partridge married Amanda Stimmens, who
was liorn in Detroit on April 13, 1879. Her mother having died when she
was !nit a child, she was placed in a school in Detroit, her father having
returned to Germany. Earl and Amanda Partridge are the parents of four
children : Helen M. and Margurete, twins, born on March 22, 1903 ; Julia,
bom in 1905, and Gladys, in 1908.

Earl Partridge has a well-cultivated farm and has improved the same
in excellent shape. He has a modern house and well built barns and is
engaged in general farming and stock raising. Fraternally, Mr. Partridge
is a Gleaner and a mem.ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

GEORGE H. EDDY.

George H. Eddy came West from Warren, Rhode Island, and in time
purchased his farm in Flint township, where he still resides with his family.

LEMUEL RICHMOND.

With a little study and experience it is always possible to determine
exactly what particular crop should .""Ucceed another, and any up-to-date
farmer knows the value of proper crop rotation. This problem seems to be
well understood by Lemuel Richmond, of Fenton township, this county. He
has lived in this locality for over three decades and has watched closely the
best methods of farming. He was 1x)m in Washtenaw county, Michigan,
August 8, 1867, and is a son of Horace and Antoinette (Cowden) Rich-
mond, and a grandson of Ira Cowden, a farmer, who was born in Cattara-
gus countv. New York. Horace Richmond was born near Delhi Mills.
Michigan, in 1837, and his death occurred in 1883. His widow survived
him thirty years, dying at an advanced age, on January 6, 1914. To these
parents three children were born, namely : Mattie, who died in December,
191 5, when fifty years old; Lemuel, the subject of this sketch, and Hattie,
who lives in California. The father of these children spent the major por-

31-

GENESEE COINTV. MICH!

ti'Mi of his litL' in Washtenaw county, this statf. where he engaf^ed in farm-
ing and in the milling husiness, nwning a mill at Amy at the time ut his
death.

Lemuel Richmond wa- educated in the common schools at Amy. In
1.^84 he cari'iC to Genesee count\- and located on his i)resen.t farm in l-'enton
to\\n^hil), where he fiwns a well-improNed rmd ])roducti\-e farm of one hun-
dvcd and twenty-three acres.

On Septeniber 18, i88q, Mr. Richmond was married to Ida J. P.adgley.
a daughter of Chaimcey Badgley, an early settler in Genesee county and a
veteran of the Civil War. His wife was .\nna Doty before her marriage.
He was an active member of the Alethodist church.

Seven children, all living at Itome. have been born to Air. and Mrs.
l?ichmond. namelv : Helen. Jay, Horace. .Mda. Rldon. Leslie and Lemuel,
[r. Mr. Richmond is a member of the Methodist church at Fenton and is
a member of the Gleaners.

E. B. STILES.

Much dejiends upon the kind of start one gets in this world, ju.st as it
does in a race. The horse that gets the best start, all other things being
equal, will almost invariably win the race. So in the race of life: If one is
properly started, with suitable grooming, such as good educational and home
training, he will lead in the race in after years. E. B. Stiles, who operates
an elevator in Linden, Genesee county, seems to have had such a start

Mr. Stiles was born in Livingston county. Michigan. August 2j. 1875.
and is a son of \\'. B and P.lla (Whitney) Stiles. The maternal grand-
fatlier. B. G. \Miitney. who wa- a native of the state of Xew York, devoted
his life to genera! farming; he spent forty years in McGoml) and (lene.see
counties. Michigan, dying in the latter. He was an active member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Grandfather W. B. Stiles was also a native
of the state of New York. He married Cornelia Rumsey and devoted his
active life to farming. The father of the subject was born in the .state of
Xew ^'ork and recei\ed a common school education. He came to Michigan
when twenty ^■ears old and joined his brother in Living.ston county, where
he bought forlv acres of land, and here he married l--lla Whitney, who was
born m Macoml) county, this .state; thev are li\ing in Argentine, where he
is en<.'a<'-ed in the lumber business. He is a member of the Methodist Li)is-

s /^ ^(l^^^^s^-.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3I3

copal church. The)- are the parents of seven chil(h"en, all li\ing, namely:
K. I).. Cornelia, V.. R., D. Rov, Moyd D., Jennie and Alahel.

1'^. I>. Stiles received his education in the puhlic schools of Livingston
and Genesee county, also attending the normal school in Fenton. On June
6, i8()4, he married Len.a B. Struhle, a nati\'e of Genesee countv and a
daughter (jf R. K. and Catherine (Dodder) Strnlile. The father came here
from Ohio in pioneer da}-s and was at one time supervisor of his township.

;\lr. Stiles owns an excellent and well-improved farm of two hundred
and se\ent\- acres in .\rgentine township, Genesee county, which he operated
fi\e \ears. He has been engaged in the ele\ator business since 1904 and has
been \-er}- successful in the same, carrying on a large business all the while,
lie lirst owned an elevator at na\isburg, then at b'ostoria, then bought a
half interest in the ele\-ator at .\rgentine, which be later sold. Fie now
owns a half interest in the e1e\ator at Fostoria and is the sole owner of the
elevator at Linden. He is a member of the .\d\-ent church.

ERNFST L. B.MLFY.

Nature has given most men sufficient natural ability to .succeed in farm-
ing, but so many are indifferent, apathetic or unwilling to put forth the proper
amount of physical and mental exertion to reap large rewards in this great-
est of all callings. Ernest L. Bailey of Flushing township, this county, has
succeeded as a farmer because he has been both industrious and a close
ol;servcr. He was born in the above-named township and county, Novem-
ber 6, 1 87 1, and is a son of lulwin A. Bailey, who was born near Stockport,
J'j'.gland. October 18. i8.iO, and who came with his parents, William Bailev
antl wife, to the Luited States when young, the family locating in what is
known as the English settlement in bdushing township, this county. William
Baile\- there purchased sixty acres of timber land, which he cleared and
transformed into a good little farm through much hard work and privation.
William Bailev, who was a native of England, was an expert miller and also
a finisher of woolen goods and had never atteimpted farming until coming
here. He and a Mr. Reed were the original settlers in the English colony.
He married Mary Goodard. a natixe of England, whose death occurred
about 1845,, as a result of the hardships encountered in the new country.
His death occurred in 1873. I^'ive children were born to them, namelv :
Alaria. who died in childhood: Thomas, who also died in childhood; Hannah,

314 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

who married I'^.noch N'enion, one of the early English settlers in this county,
now deceased, his widow making her home with her children, five sons and
two daughters, all surviving, the fruit of her union with Mr. Vernon;
Edwin A., the father of the subject of this sketch, and John H., who now
lives retired in the village of Flushing.

Edwin A. Bailey was sixteen years old when he went into the lumljer
woods after his arri^•al in this county and performed a man's work, later
returning to the home farm, assisting his father clear and plant the land to
crops, thus, like the sons of all pioneers of those days he learned the mean-
ing of hard work. He remained with his parents until his marriage when
he located in section 5 of Flushing township, where he purchased a farm
of his own, which he operated until 1894, when he retired from active life,
moved to the village of Flushing and li\ed there quietly until his death,
which occurred on March 31, 1913. He married Ellen S. Wood, who was
burn in the English settlement here. August 26, 1843, ^ daughter of James
and Sarah (Burgess) V.'ood, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this
work. To Edwin A. Bailey and wife five children were lx)rn, namely:
Randolph W., born on September 29, 1867, who is fanning in Shiawassee
county, married twice, the last time to Etta Harkness, who is the mother of
eight children, five of whom are living; Ernest L., the subject of this sketch;
Mabel, born on April 12, 1S77, who married N. A. Morrish, a farmer of
Clayton township, this county, and has three children; Milton E., May 25,
1879, who lives on the old Bailey homestead, is married and has one child,
and \'era, February 9, 1885, who married Carl Wilcox, a druggist and mer-
chant of Henderson, this state, and has one child.

Ernest L. Bailey received his schooling in the district schools and
worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. After
making two moves' he located on the farm he now owns, which he purchased
in 1908. He has always lived in his present vicinity. He owns a well-
improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which farm was one of
the fir.st to be cleared in the English settlement. A general store was located
on it for some time in the early days, which was the trading points of the
settlement. There is also a tenant house on the farm which is supposed to
be the oldest building in that community.

Tn 1894, Ernest L. Bailey was married to Florence Hallock, wdio was
born at Vernon, Shiawassee county, November 8, 1874, a daughter of Dewitt
and Helen (Bigelow) Hallock, for many years residents of a farm in that
county, but now living retired in Flint. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey one child

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3I5

lias been born, a son. Raymond H., born on July 13. 1896, who was gradu-
ated from the high school at Flushing with the class of 1916.

Politically, Mr. Bailey is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic
Order, lodge No. 426 at Montrose, also of the Order of the Eastern Star,
lodge No. 351, at Montrose, and is a member of the Gleaners at Brent
C reek. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church at New Lothrop.

CHARLES S. MORRIS.

A well-known citizen of the village of Gaines, this county, is Charles S.
Morris, who hails from the old Empire state and who, since taking up his
residence here, has won a prominent place among the enterprising men of
his locality. Pie was born in Niagara county. New York, July 30, 1866, a
son- of W. O. and Lavina E. (Winchester) Morris. The father was also a
native of that county, where he grew up on a farm. The mother was a
native of Quebec, Canada, from which country she moved as a small girl
with her parents to Niagara county, New York, where she grew to woman-
hood and married Mr. Morris. The parents of the latter lived and died
in that county.

When Charles S. Morris was about fourteen years old, about 1880,
his parents moved with their family to Shiawassee coimty, Michigan, the
father buying a farm of eighty acres in Burns township, where they lived
about six years; then located in North Newberg, later moving to Pittsburgh,
where the father was in the government service, then returned to Shiawassee
county and settled in Morrice, where the parents of the subject of this
sketch still reside. Three children were born to them, namely: Charles S.,
the subject of this sketch; William, who died when about fifteen years of
age, and Lewis E., who died when twenty-five years of age. W. O. Morris
has always been active in political life, a stanch Republican, and has filled the
office of justice of the peace for a number of years. He is a member of
the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee and in which he is an active
worker. Many years ago he joined the Masons and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.

Charles S. Morris received his schooling in the district schools and the
Morrice high school, and remained at home until he was twenty-five years
of age. From early youth he has followed mercantile pursuits, starting out
as a clerk and later entering business for himself. He was in Detroit for

3l6 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

some time, then moved to (laines, this county, in the fall of 1898. first con-
(Incting a l)arher and confectionery business, which he continued until in
l''ebniarv. 1915. He lie^an his jiresent mercantile business and also estab-
lished himself as a funeral director. April i. IQ16. Mr. Morris was rep;-
istered in i<)io as a licensed embalnier and by the state board of health in
I q I I .

I'harles S. Morris married Klla K. Steele, a daughter of Richartl Steele,
of Shiawassee county, and to this union two children have been born, \\'a}ne
[i. and Ciwendolvn, the latter of whom died when five years of age. Mr.
Morris is a Republican and has served as clerk of the village of Gaines for
se\-en consecutive terms: also served on the village council for a number of
vears. He is also justice of the peace and a notary pul)lic and has discharged
his duties as a public ser\'ant in an able and satisfactor}- manner. He is a
Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of
the Gleaners.

1--RAXK HOLSER.

l'>ank Holser. one of the i)rominent and successful farmers of Mush-
ing townshi]). was born at W'aterford, Oakland county. Alichigan. on July
12, i86v the son of John and Mary ( l-'orster ) Holser, natives of (iermany.
the former born on March j8. 1814, and the latter, October 19, 1819. They
were married in 1843, and to this union the following children were born in
the Fatherland: Louise, born on Jul}- 21, 1844, who died on the voyage to
the Ignited States. October C), 1848; Caroline, on February 21, 1846, wife
of J. S. Jones of Clavton township, this county, and Mary, Octoljer 4. 1848,
who died in 1899. She was the wife of Albert Chapman, now deceased.
The following children were born in the United States: John, Jr., born on
September 16, 1851. now deceasetl : Louis John. July 30, 1853, now living
at Pontiac; Louise, January J, 1853, wife of David I^. Ranney of lioston :
Henry Phillip, October 5, 1857. now deceased: Anna Alary, January 10,
i860, who died on December 2. 1885; Charles John, March 25, 1862, now
living in Colorado, and Frank. The father died on July 6, 1886, while the
mother lived to be eighty years of age and died on March 4. 1899.

John Holser and family landed in Xew York city in October, 1849.
The family remained there for s(ime years and then mo\ed to Rochester.
Xew York, in the vicinity of which city Mr. Holser worked on a farm for
four years. In 18:7 he came to Michigan and located at Pontiac, where

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 317

he was engaged by a produce merchant, for five years ; after which he pur-
chased ten acres of land, in W'aterfnrd township, se\en miles from Pontiac,
wiiere he engaged in truck farming. He later sold that tract and purchased
forty acres, to which he later added fifty-six acres, and there was engaged
in general farming and stock raising until the time of his death.

l-"rank Holser, after completing his schooling in the common schools
of the township, returned I to the farm, where he assisted his father. Upon
the death of the latter he purchased the home farm of the heirs and con-
tinued to make his home there, his mother living wdth him.

On February 25, 1892, Frank Holser was united in marriage to Fmeline
Paine, wh(j was born in the village of Flushing on July 21, 1871, daughter
of U illiam and Kuey Ann (Richardson) Paine, and who completed her
scliDoling in the Flushing high school.

\Mlliam Paine was born in the state of Xew York, in 1838, and was
Init an infant, about one year of age, when his parents canie to this county,
settling on a farm in Flushing township. .\s a young man he engaged in
farming, at which he continued until his death on April 30, 1909. He was
also interested in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. He was a stanch Repub-
lican and took much interest in local politics. Fraternally, he was a mem-
ber of the' Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ruey Ann (Richardson)
Paine was born on January 4, 1848. and is still living at her home in Flush-
ing. She and William Paine were the parents of the following children :
Mary, born on March 4, 1868, is the wife of Samuel Jones of Clayton town-
ship; iuiieline, wife of ^Ir. Holser; Hattie, born on April 12, 1874, wife of
George Judd, of Flushing township; Willard, October 16. 1875, now liv-
ing at Grand Rapids; Alice; Nellie, the wife of Ray Budd, of Flushing
township, and Frank, born on March 4, 1886, who died in infancy.

To I'rank and Emeline (Paine) Holser have been torn the following
children; Erwin F., born on November 29. 1892, is a graduate of the Mich-
igan Agricultural College and is now li\ing in Detroit; Howard P., February
25, 1809. who was graduated from the Flushing high school in 1916; Mabel,
November 13, 1905, and Nellie, March 26. 1909.

A.fter purchasing the old homestead of ninety-six acres, Mr. Holser
added sixty-four acres to the tract and made that place bis home until 1904.
when he sold the place and purchased his present home in section 34, known
as "Spring Brook Farm,'" and one of die best farms in the township. There
he has Ijuilt a modern house, with steam heat, water and electric lights.
In 1906 lie built a liarn, thirty-four by sixty-two feet, all modern, with
cement floors and electric lighted. In 1913 he purchased twenty acres across

310 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

the road from his home. On the home place he has built some small barns,
hog sheds and chicken houses, all of which are modem and equipped with
electric lights. Mr. Holser is engaged in general farming and in the raising
of pure-bred stock. He has a fine herd of Durham dairy cattle with which
he has been most successful. In connection with his other work, he is much
interested in his White Leghorn chickens, settings of eggs from his flock
being in wide demand.

Mr. Holser is a Democrat and while living in Oakland township served
as treasurer, highway commissioner and as a member of the school board.
He also served on the board in Flushing township. He is a member of the
Gleaners and takes much interest in the workings of that order. His influ-
ence in the community is always for the good, and he takes much interest in
all that tends to the advancement of the best interests of the county.

IRA T. SAYRE.

Ira T. Sayre, of Flushing, was born in Hector township, Schuyler county.
New York, on March 6, 1858, the son of Augustus and Sarah (Terry j
Sayre. Augustus Sayre was born at Scott's Corners, township of Ovid,
Seneca county. New York, November 23, 1827. He followed farming all
his life, and in May, 1850, came to Michigan, and took up land in section 2^,
Flushing township, this county, where he lived for four years, at the end of
which time he returned to New York state and lived there until 1864, when
he returned to Flushing, and again took up his residence on the land which
he had purchased in 1850. He made his home on that farm until 1890, in
which year he built a home in the village of Flushing, where he lived until
his death on February 12, 1909. He took an active part in the early develop-
ment of this community, was prominent in the affairs of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and served as school trustee in Flushing.

In October, 1856, Augustus Sayre was married to Sarah Terry, who
was born on September 23, 1836, in Hector township, Schuyler county. New
York, where she lived until her marriage. She is still living in Flushing.
To Augustus Sayre and wife three children were born, Ira T., Franklin P.
and Julia M., the latter of whom, the wife of A. E. Ball, died at her home
in Redlands, California, November 4, 1904. Augustus Sayre was the son
of David Halsey and Sidney (Aston) Sayre, the latter born in Newtown
Hamilton, counlv of Armagh, Ireland, in 1800. David H. Savre was born

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3I9

at Southampton, Long Island, New York, IJecember 31, 1798, in a house
built in 1649 t>y Thomas Sayre, who was the original Sayre coming from
Europe to America, he having settled there in 1639. The house in which
he lived was torn down in 1915, at the time being recognized as the oldest
house built of wood in the United States. David H. Sayre lived in his Long-
Island home until 1816, when he moved to Lodi township, Seneca county,
New York, where he lived until October 12, 1878, on which date his death
occurred at an advanced age. He was a son of Caleb Sayre, born Septem-
ber 14, 1764, in the old Sayre homestead on Long Island. Caleb Sayre
moved to New York about 1820, with his son, David, where he lived until
his death, in 1847, ^t the age of eighty-three. Elizabeth Halsey, wife of
Caleb Sayre, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, New York, Sep-
tember 16, 1 771, and died on April 9, 1853. Caleb Sayre was a son of
Joshua Sayre, who died on June 12, 1806, and Abigail (Cooper) Sayre, who
died in 181 2. Joshua Sayre was a son of Ichabod Sayre, Jr., who was born
at Southampton, Long Island ; he was a son of Ichabod Sayre, Sr., who was
born in 1666, and died in 1745, and Mary (Hubbard) Sayre, born on Novem-
ber 17, 1674. Ichabod Sayre, Sr., was a son of Francis and Sarah (Wheeler)
Sayre, natives of Bedfordshire, England. Francis Sayre was a son of
Thomas Sayre, Ijorn in Leighton Buzzard, in July. 1597, and who came to
x^merica with his father, Thomas. Thomas Sa}'re came to America in 1634,
and settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, and was the founder of the well-known
Sayre family in the United States. Thomas Sa}re was a son of Francis and
Elizabeth Sayre; Francis was a son of William and Alice (Squyre) Sayre,
the former of \\hom died in 1564. The first known ancestor of William
Sayre was also named \A'illiain, and he was born in 1310.

Ira T. Sayre received his early education in the district schools of Hector
township, .Schuyler county, in the state of New York, afterwards attending
the Flushing graded schools and the high school, from which he was gradu-
ated. He attended the ^Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing, then took a
course in law and medicine at the State University at Ann Arbor. He was
admitted to the bar by the supreme court at Lansing, June 16, 1881, and
returned to Flushing to begin the practice of his profession. He continued
in the practice until 1898, when he turned his attention principally to fruit
farming. He owns rental property in Flushing and in Flint, and devotes
most of his time and attention to the real-estate and insurance business.

On August 5, 1884, Ira T. Sayre was married to Julia E. Niles, who
was born in Flushing, December 25, 1866, and has always made that place
her home. To this union three children have been born Helen L., born

3JO GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

nil Alav 13. 1891. will) was "raduated in i<;i5 frimi W'ellcsley College, in
Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Sidney I'lstelle and [-"rank Xiles (twins), born
on Alarcli 28, 1897, the fdniier (it whom is a stndent in Wellesley Colle.s^e,
and tlie hitter a niitlsliiinnan in tlie L'nitetl States Xa\-al Academy at -\nn-
apnlis, Alaryhand.

!\Ir. Sayre served as \illage and tnwnsliip clerk for se\en years, was
jiresident of the village and also served as justice of the peace. He was a
member of the board of trustees of the State Industrial School for Boys
from 1893 to 1899: was state senator from 1899 to 1901, and state tax com-
missioner, 1901 to 1907. Politically, Mr. Sayre was a Republican until
1912, when he was a delegate to the Chicago convention which nominated
Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Sayre has membership in about a dozen secret
orders, including the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a Knight Templar
and a thirtv-third degree Mason.

WTLRERT H. KEDDY

Among the Canadians, and there are many, who ha\e cast their lots
with the people of the W'oherine state is Wilbert H. Keddy, successful
farmer and stock raiser of Kenton township, Genesee county. He was born
in Huron county, Ontario. Feliruary 19. 1868. and is a son of Ralph and
Susanna (Down) Keddy. Robert Down, the maternal grandfather, was a
native of Devonshire, luigland, from which countr}^ he came to Canada in
1840 and spent the rest of his life in Ontario. Robert Keddy. the paternal
grandfather, was a native of Yorkshire. England, and married Elizabeth
Slater. They immigrated to Canada in 1846. located on a farm in Ontario,
where they spent tlie rest of their lives. Ralph Keddy was born at Port
Hope, Canada. July (\ 1834, and his wife was born in England. They
reside on a farm at Iv\eter. Ontario. Their family consists of the follow-
ing children: \Vilbert H.. of this sketch: Charles, who lives at home; Nel-
son, who lives in Alberia, Canada: X'ornian. who is engaged in the real
estate lousiness in Detroit; Flerbert, who li\es in Melfort, Saskatchewan.
Canada; Hannah, who lives at home: Xettie, the youngest, who also is with
her parents. The father is a Liberal in politics and he and his wife are
Methodists and active in church work.

\Vilbert H. Keddy grew up on the home farm in the province of
Ontario and received a ])ublic school education. He came t(^ Detroit, Mich-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

321

igan, in 1899. where he fnuncl employment in a wood-working establishment.
Then he was connected with the Keddy Grille Company there for ten years;
then exchanged Detroit real estate for a farm, sold out and moved to Gen-
esee county and has since operated his farm of one hundred and thirty-six
acres in section 26, just north of Fenton. He has made many improve-
ments, rebuilt the barn, erected two large concrete silos and put up new
fencing. He is a breeder of pure-bred Guernsey cattle, and in connection
with general farming maintains a dairy. He has installed a milking machine
and all modern, sanitary equipment. Re is president of the Linden
Co-operative Creamery Company, of which he was one of the organizers.
He has been president from the start and the pronounced success of the
undertaking has been due largely to his excellent management. He takes an
active interest in all movements having for their object better farming and
the raising of better grades of live stock and has done much to encourage
both in this localitv. He was president of the Farmers Institute from 1913
to 1915, inclusive, and has been one of the most influential members of the
same for years. He is also an active member of the Methodist church at
Fenton. He belongs to the Gleaners and the Grange. At present, and for
two years past, Mr. Keddy has been secretary of the Genesee Countv Pomona
Grange No. 48. Politically, he is a Republican.

Mr. Keddy was married on September 11, 1895, ^ Nellie Hicks, who
was born in Elgin county, Ontario, August 2"], 1874. This union has
resulted in the birth of two children, Herbert, born August 17, i8g6, and
Beulah, born June 13, 1906.

FRANK DOLAN.

Frank Dolan, a retired farmer of Mt. Morris township, was born on
March 25, 1830, in County Tyrone, Ireland. He came to the United States
with his parents, who settled on a farm in Pennsylvania and remained there
for some years. The father believing that Michigan was a better state in
which to obtain a home, prepared to move his family further west. In 1856
they left their home in Pennsylvania and located in Mt. Morris township,
this county. There the parents spent the rest of their lives. They were
sturdy pioneers and endured the hardships and privations common to the
early settlers in a new country.
(21a)

322

iEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

On the death of his parents, Frank Dolan Ijecame the possessor of the
farm and there he hved many years, during which time he greatly improved
and developed the place. He later moved two miles east of the old home,
and there he lived for two years. He then purchased sixty acres in section
14, where he now lives. Owing to his advanced age. he has for some years
been li\ing a retired life.

I'Vank Dolan was married to Bridget Murphy, a native of Ireland, and
to this union two sons were born, Nicholas and Barney, both now residents
of Mt. Morris township. Their mother died years ago. Some years after
the death of his first wife, Frank Dolan married Kate McCawley, wlio died
on January 10, IQ14.

Frank Dolan is a member of the St. Mary's Catholic church at Mt.
Morris and is a de\'out and consistent Christian. During his eventful antl
busy life he has alwavs been faithful to his \-ows as a member of the church,
which now mean so much to him in his old age. Air. Dolan is a Republican
and has always taken an active interest in local politics. It has never Iieen
his desire to hold office, yet he feels it the duty of all good citizens to take
an interest in the selection of pu1::lic officers.

EDWARD C. MOORE.

The l)usiness of the farm and the Ijusiness of farming, while in many
points analogous, are in reality quite distinctive. The former carries with
it the consideration of expenditure in the employment of lalxir, in buildings,
improvements, and cost of raising crops as against the revenue received after
harvesting and sale. Edward C. Moore of Burton township, this county,
seems to look carefully to both phases and is therefore successful. He was
born on March 2. 1868, in Richfield township this county, a son of Edward
B. and Mary J. (French) Moore, the former of whom w^as born on Sep-
tember II, 1822, at Batavia, Genesee county. New York, and there attended
school and grew to manhood. When twenty-six years of age, in 1848, he
and his brother, John W. Moore, who had lx)th learned the carpenter's trade,
left the home farm on which they had been reared and came to Michigan,
locating in Richfield township, this county, where they followed their trade
for a year or two, then entered forty acres of land from the government
in Richfield township, on which they lived until 1873, when they located
in the village of Davison, later moving to the village of Flint. In the spring

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 323

of 1876 they purchased seventy-seven acres in that locality where they con-
tinued to reside until the death of Edward B. Moore, October 21, 1907.
His wife was born in Middlebury township, Genesee county. New York,
March 22, 1834. When seven years old, in 1841, she came with her parents
to Genesee county and in Richfield township grew up, attended school and
lived on the home farm until her marriage to Mr. Moore. To their union
three children were born, namely : Carrie E., who died when six years of
age; Edward C, the subject of this review, and Jennie, who married Timothy
Russell, and died at her home in Mt. Morris township, this county, Feb-
ruary 28, 1905.

Edward C. Moore grew to manhood on the home farm and received
a common-school education, supplementing the same by a course in the
Normal at Flint. He has remained a farmer and now owns a productive
place of seventy-seven acres in section 10 of Burton township, four miles
from Flint.

On July 19, 191 1, Edward C. Moore was married to Mary WilHams,
a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Patterson) Williams. She was born
in Perry county, Ohio, from which her parents moved to this county, living
for some time in Flint. They now reside in Bay City. To Mr. and Mrs.
Moore one son has been born, Edward Thomas Moore, whose birth occurred
on September 22, 1912.

Politically, Mr. Moore is a Democrat laut he has never been very active
in public affairs.

EDWARD DORR PARSONS.

Edward Dorr Parsons, one of the well-known and prominent retired
farmers of Grand Blanc, was born on March i, 1846, in the south part of
Grand Blanc township, this county, the son of Edward and Sarah (Baldwin )
Parsons.

Edward Parsons was born at Marcellus, Onondaga county. New York,
August 29, 18 10, and was educated at Williams College, Massachusetts. It
was at Marcellus that he lived until he was twenty-five years of age, at
which time, in 1837 he left the state of his birth and young manhood and
came to Michigan, where he entered two hundred and twenty acres of land in
Grand Blanc township, this county. The land at that time was undeveloped
and unimproved, but in time, Mr. Parsons succeeded in making the tract one
of the best in the township, and there it was that he made his permanent

324 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

home. Sarah Baldwin, to whom Mr. Parsons was later married, was born
at Brattleboro, Vermont, and later moved to Baldwinsville, New York, and
then in 1837, came with her parents to Michigan, the family settling in that
county. She was the daughter of Dr. Cyrus Baldwin and wife, who located
two miles southeast of Grand Blanc, on the Saginaw road, or turnpike.
They remained there but a short time, after which they moved to Kepps
Corners, southeast of Goodrich, where the Doctor spent the rest of his life.
He was the first physician in that part of the county, and was well and favor-
ably known throughout a wide territory. His wife was a Dorr. During his
life in the state of New York, Edward Parsons, Sr., was a merchant at
Bath, where he was both successful and prominent. After coming to Gene-
see county, he devoted his life to farming and became prominent in the
social and civic life of the community. He was always interested in the
schools and took much interest in their development. He had a full realiza-
tion of the importance of good schools to the youth of the township, and
knew that the future of the district depended much upon the training the
child received in the public schools of the township. For many years he
-was school inspector of his township, and under his administration the schools
made rapid advancement. Mr. Parsons and wife were members of the Con-
•gregational church, and from the very beginning of the local society, were
interested in its success and growth. Mrs. Parsons died in 1883 and there-
after Mr. Parsons made his home with his son, Edward Dorr Parsons, until
his death in 1889.

Edward Parsons and wife were the parents of four children, James
and Jacob (twins), Almira and Edward D. When the latter was eleven
years of age the children were sent to their grandfather, in the state of New
York, where they could receive better school advantages. Edward D. Par-
sons later returned to the home of his father and there he grew to manhood.
In 1875 he was married to Abigail M. Parker, who was bom in the neigh-
boring county of Oakland, daughter of Jonathan and Abigail Parker, further
mention of whom is made on another page in this volume. Soon after his
marriage, Edward D. Parsons established his home on a fann in section 27,
two miles south of Grand Blanc, where he lived until within recent years.
The farm at that time was all wood and there were no improvements, not
even a house. It was there that he cleared a patch and erected a small house,
in which he and his wife lived for some years. He later succeeded in clear-
ing and developing the farm, until today he has one of the very best farms
in the county. He has erected good and substantial buildings, all of which
are in excellent state of repairs. His house is modern, with hard-wood

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 325

floors and acet)'line-gas lights, with ever}' convenience. There are one hun-
dred and thirty-seven acres of land in his farm all of which is under high
cultivation. For the past ten years his younger son, Ivan E. Parsons has
been managing the place, though Edward D. Parsons and wife continued
to live on the farm until 1915, at which time they moved to Grand Blanc,
where they now reside.

Edward D. Parsons and wife are the parents of two sons, Cassen Eugene
and Ivan Earl. The Rev. Cassen Eugene Parsons was born in 1877, and
after completing the course in the grade schools was graduated from the
Flint high school. During 1896 he attended college, leaving at the beginning
of his junior year for a course in the Chicago Bible Institute. After spend-
ing two years as general missionary of the American Sunday School Union,
for Central Michigan, with headquarters at Clare, he took a course in Liv-
ingston College, an institution founded as a memorial to David Livingston,
at Leyton, London, England, and sailed for China, as general missionary
of the China Inland Mission, in 1903. During six years in China Mr. Par-
sons helped lay the foundation for the reclamation system of China, for
which service he was recognized, together with thirty others, by the late
Emperor Kuang Hsu. The Manchu viceroy of Liang Kiang, Tuan Fang,
also gave special recognition to the work accomplished, which, through the
distribution of vast sums of international relief, saved the lives of a million
famine-stricken persons in the alluvial plains of eastern China and set in
motion the reclamation and reforestation movement of the Republic of
China. Passing through the threatened second Boxer crisis of 1909, during
which the combined efforts of the Chinese officials and the foreigners, includ-
ing Mr. Parsons, at Anking, averted disastrous war, Air. Parsons traveled in
India, Egypt, Palestine and Europe. Upon his return to this country and
after taking his degree, including the degree of Bachelor of Divinity and the
degree of Master of Arts at Yale University, Mr. Parsons engaged in peace
work in Michigan and is now thus engaged, with headquarters at Detroit.

Ivan Earl Parsons was born in 1883 and after completing the course
in the local schools, entered Michigan Agricultural College, from which
institution he was graduated in June, 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of
Science. In that same month he married Bessie Kirby, who was born and
reared at Almont, this state, a daughter of George and Anna Kirby. Since
his marriage, Ivan E. Parsons has farmed the home place south of Grand
Blanc and has been successful in his general farming and dairying operations.
He has a fine herd of Jersey cattle, some of which are registered. He has
done much in the way of improving the place, and in 191 5 rebuilt the barn

3-^6 GENESEE COaNTY, MICHIGAN.

and today has one of the finest barns in the county. He is a progressive
farmer, a firm behever in the modern methods of conducting a farm. In
191 5 Mr. Parsons was secretary of the Michigan Farmers Experiment
i\.ssociation, located at the Michigan AgricuUural College, East Lansing, and
is the present president of that association. He also is secretary of the Farm-
ers Exchange Bank of Grand Blanc, which has a capitalization of two hun-
<lred thousand dollars, and is in other ways actively identified with the develop-
ing interests of that part of the county.

To Ivan Earl and Bessie (Kirby) Parsons three children have been
born, George Edward, Anna Louise and June Mary. The family are promi-
nent in the social and religious life of the community and take much inter-
est in church work. Edward D. Parsons and wife as well as Ivan Earl
Parsons and wife are members of the Congregational church, being among
the prominent and inflential members of the same. No fewer than twelve
generations of the Parsons family in America are tf) I^e found in the con-
gressional library, at Washington. Edward Parsons was descended from
one of the earliest arrivals of the family in this country, Cornet Joseph
Parsons, a founder of Northampton, Massachusetts, who arrived in 1630
from England. Cornet Joseph Parsons was descended from Sir John Par-
sons, of Hereford, England, the coat of arms of this branch of the family
indicating distinguished ecclesiastical and military service. The earliest
established ancestor is John Parsons, of Cuddington, England, 1284. The
family in America has been closely identified with the political, educational,
and religious development of the country, in the East and central West,
•occupying man\- positions of prominence throughout its history.

RE^^ JOHX BRADFORD PENGELLY, A. :\I., D. B.

The Rev. John Bradford Pengelly. rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church
at Flint, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born at Brantford, in the
province of Ontario, May 12, 1881, son and eldest of the five children born
to the Rev. John Henly and Elizabeth Ann (Bradford) Pengelly, natives
of England, who are now living at Woodstock, Canada.

The Rev. J. H. Pengelly was born in Cornwall, son of the Rev. Thomas
Pengelly and wife also natives of Cornwall, the former of whom, a clergy-
man of the Wesleyan faith, died there when about sixty-four years of age.
His widow, who still survives at the advanced age of ninety years, is now

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 327

living in Liskeard, Cornwall. They were the parents of five children, John
Henrj^ James, Thomas, Joseph and Emma. The Rev. John H. Pengelly
married Elizabeth Ann Bradford, who also was born in Cornwall, daugh-
ter of the Rev. John and Harriet ( Eastcott) Bradford, natives of Hen-
wood, in Cornwall, and who were the parents of seven children, of whom
Mrs. Pengelly was the first-born, the others being as follow : Jane, who
died in youth; John; James, who died in childhood; James, the second;
Alvena, who died unmarried at the age of twenty-two years, and Theodore,
who died young. Immediately after their marriage, in 1879, Rev. John H.
Pengelly and his wife came across the Atlantic and located in Canada. For
years Mr. Pengelly continued in his profession as a minister of the Baptist
church, but for some years past has been connected with the Karn-Morris
piano corporation of Woodstock and Listowell, Canada.

Upon completing the course in the public schools at Leamington, Can-
ada, J. Bradford Pengelly worked at a trade for four years, after which he
entered Woodstock College, from which he was graduated in 1902. He not
only was the valedictorian of his class, but was awarded the Hiram Calvin
scholarship for general proficiency in his studies. In 1906 he was graduated,
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, from McMaster University, Toronto,
in which institution he also received conspicuous honors, having been presi-
dent of the Literary Society and of the Inter-College Debating Union, as
well as honor pupil in his class in philosophy, history and English literature,
while he was equally well known in the athletic life of the college, having
been captain of the Rugby team. Following his graduation, Mr. Pengelly
spent a short time in a rural parish in Canada and then, in 1907, entered Har-
vard University, where he spent two terms in post-graduate work. In 1908
he entered the L^niversity of Chicago and following three years of post-gradu-
ate work there received his degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Divin-
ity. He then was placed in charge of St. Edmund's mission, Chicago, being
ordained on June 19, 191 1, and was thus engaged until he accepted the call
of St. Paul's parish at Flint in the fall of 1913. During the time he was
in charge at St. Edmund's, Mr. Pengelly increased the membership of that
mission from forty-two to three hundred and thirty-six.

It was on September i, 1913, that the Rev. J. Bradford Pengelly was
called as rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church at Flint. In that same
month he married and established his residence in the rectory at 412 East
Kea'rsley street, where he ever since has been located. St. Paul's is the
largest parish in the diocese of Michigan, with a membership of about four-
teen hundred and the church, situated in South Saginaw street, is generallv

328 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

regarded to be one of the most beautiful church ecHtices in the country.
-Mr. Pengelly is not a partisan in his poHtical views. Fraternally, he is a
Mason, a member of Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons, and
Friendship Lodge No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

It was on September 17, 19 13, at \Voodstock, Canada, that the Rev.
J. Bradford Pengelly was united in marriage to Edith Maude Campbell, who
was born in Oxford county, Ontario, January 2, 1879, daughter of Capt.
Roljert and Elizabeth Allen (Craig) Campbell, natives of Scotland, both of
whom died at Woodstock, and who were the parents of six children, of
w horn Mrs. Pengelly' was the last-born, the others being Margaret Anna.
Jessie Agnes, Robert Colin, James Craig and Helena. Capt. Robert Camp-
bell was a son of Robert and Margaret (Orr) Campbell, who were the par-
ents of four children, the Captain having had a brother, William, and two
others who died in infancy. His wife was a daughter of James and Margaret
(Walker) Craig, who were the parents of five children, those besides Mrs.
Campbell having been Isabel, Margaret, William and John, the latter of
whom died in infancy. To the Reverend and Mrs. John Bradford Pengelly
one child has Ijeen l)orn, a son. John Bradford Pengelly, Jr., August 15, 1914.

GEORGE W. HILL.

George W. Hill, a prominent and successful farmer of Burton township,
and the owner of "Red Clover Farm," of two hundred and eight acres, is a
native of Genesee county, the son of John and Betsy (Ballinger) Hill, and
was born on July 29, 1865.

John Flill was born in the state of \'ermont and ]Mrs. Hill in the state,
of New York. Mr. Hill came to Genesee county at the age of eighteen and
worked as farm band for a number of years. He later purchased a farm
of his own, which he cleared and improved. He is still living, at the age of
eighty-eight; his wife died in 1869. They were the parents of six children,
three of whom are living: Bert, a farmer in Davison township; Lavonia, the
wife of William F. Baldwin, a Methodist Episcopal minister, of Saginaw
county, and George W.

George W. Hill was reared on the farm of his father and at the age of
seventeen went to work for himself. On October 7, 1888, he was united
in marriage to Fannie L. Day. a native of Genesee county. She is the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 329

daughter of Byron and Abigail (Alexander) Hill and was born on March
14, i860. She married Clark C. Day, who is deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill are the parents of six children: Oliver G., born
March 28, 1890; Ernest L., November i, 1894; NelHe F., September 23,
1896; Norman J., March 4, 1900; Clarence S., January 15, 1902; and Lena
Grace, February 6, 1904. She has one son by her first marriage, Melzor C.
Day, of Flint, born on August 2, 1882; he married Alice Rheinhart and
their children are Irene and Dorthy A., at home, and Douglas, deceased."

Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics, has served as moderator of the
school district for twenty-six years and is at present a justice of the peace.
He is a man of much influence and highly respected in the community in
which he lives.

ALBERT M. DELAND.

Albert I\T. DeLand, a well-to-do farmer of Genesee county, was born in
Flushing township, on the old DeLand homestead, on October 8, 1848, the
son of Joseph M. and Marj^ Ann (Hinkley) DeLand.

Joseph M. DeLand was born in Candor, Tioga county. New York.
March 3, 1823. There he received his education and grew to manhood.
On March i^, 1844, he married Mary Ann Hinkley, who was born in Tomp-
kins county. New York, January 30, 1827. In 1847 the family came to
Michigan and for a short time remained in Ann Arbor. They then came to
Genesee county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Flush-
ing township and it was there that Mr. and Mrs. DeLand spent the rest of
their lives, the latter dying on July 25, 1897, ^"^^ the former on March 14,
1914. Mr. DeLand was a quiet and unassuming man, but public spirited
and did much for the development of the community in which he lived.

Joseph M. DeLand was the son of Rev. Charles and Susan (Wilmont)
DeLand, natives of the state of New York and Massachusetts, respectively,
the former having been born on December 13. 1797, at Hartford, Washing-
ton county, and the latter at West Stockbridge, May 11, 1796. Before com-
ing to Michigan they lived in Hector, New York. In 1847 they settled in
Genesee county and for many years the Rev. Charles DeLand was pastor
of the Flushing Baptist church and of the church at Mt. Morris. For thirteen
years before coming to Michigan, Mr. DeLand was active in pastoral work
in his native state. To the Rev. Charles and Susan DeLand were born six
children, Virgil, Milton, Alexander J., Joseph M., Charles F. and Mary C,

330 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

tlie latter of whom, now the widow of Nelson Talbot, is the only one now
livinf,^ She has one son, Charles N. Talbot, who is the proprietor of a shoe
store at Flushing. The Rev. L'harles DeLanfl died in 1863 and his widow
in 1869.

yiavy Ann (Hinkley) DeLand, the mother of Albert M. DeLand, was
the (laughter of Jeremiah and Phoebe Ann (Bond) Hinkley, natives of the
state of New York. To her union with Joseph M. DeLand were born the
following children: Elnia, born on January 25, 1846, who died on January
3, 1850; John L., June 2t,. 1847, who died on January 8, 1850; Albert M.,
the subject of this sketch, and Arthur, bom <in l''ebruary 3, 1856, who died
on July 8, 1863.

Albert M. DeLand was educated in the schools of Flushing township
and the high school at Flushing. After completing his schooling he returned
to the home farm, where he remained until he was twenty-seven years of
age. \n 1875 he went to Flint, where he was employed by F. W. Judd &
Company in their general store for two years. He was then with H. W.
Sage & Company, wholesale house, at Bay City, until 1880. He then
returned to the farm and on November 1 7 of that year was married to Helen
E. Knight, who was born in Trenton, Michigan, on December 3, 1850,
daughter of James and Rhoda ( Lathrop ) Knight, natives of England and
of the state of New York, respectively. Mr. Knight was born in London
on lulv 16, 1818, and Mrs. Knight at Hector on April 15, 1829. James
Knight, when eleven years of age, came wnth his mother from England,
settling in the state of New York. He remained there until he was twenty
vears of age. when he came to Michigan and settled at Trenton. Li early
life he was a sailor, but after his marriage he engaged in farming, which
he followed until his death on September 3, 1896. Rhoda (Lathrop)
Knight, when but a young girl settled with her parents at Trenton, where
.she lived until her marriage to James Knight. To this union were born
eleven children, Helen, Emma, Jennie, Arthur, Augusta, Bessie, May, Alice,
Morence, George and Harry. Jennie Knight married Edwin Hearsey;
Augusta is the wife of Parley Green; Bessie, the wife of John Whiting;
Marv, the wife of Fred H. Rindge and Florence, the wife of Henry Lyons.

Helen E. Knight was educated in the Trenton graded school and at the
\\'vandotte high school, .\fter finishing her schooling she taught for eleven
vears in the schools of Wyandotte and West Bay City. She discontinued
her work as a teacher to become the wife of Albert M. DeLand and to this
union three children have been bom, Elma, Earl K. and Ralph J. Elma,
born on September 29, 1883, is the wife of Felix Garter, of Columbus, Ohio.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 33 1

They are the parents of two children, Harold, born on April 2-], 1913, and
Helen, July 2.},, 1915. Earl K. Del.and, born on I\lay 2, 1887, is living at
Marion, Ohio. Ralph J. DeLand, born on May 19, 1890, is living at home.
He was graduated from the Flushing high school and after taking two years
in the high school at Jackson, attended the University of Michigan, where
he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 19 13. Upon his return from the
university he took charge of the home farm, which he is now operating.

For some years after his marriage, Albert M. DeLand farmed his
father's place of one hundred acres. He later bought one hundred acres
in section 14, since which time he has continued to manage both tracts,
engaged in general farming and cattle raising, being interested in Durham
and Jersey cattle and good horses. Mr. DeLand is a Republican and has
served his township as a school officer for many years. He has been a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for forty-five years and is a
past noble grand of the local lodge of that order. He and his family are
active members of the Baptist church, and take much interest in church
work.

MARTIN DALY,

As a result of this long years of husbandr}-, Martin Daly of Burton
township, this county, has about solved the question of scientific farming,
as the people of this section of the Wolverine state know and understand
it today, and it is a pleasure to look over his well-kept and productive fields.
He was born in the same vicinity where he now lives, on the old homestead,
February 15, 1866, a son of Robert and Ellen (Mannion) Daly. The father
was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and there grew to manhood, a farm
laborer. Coming to the United States he spent two years in the state of
New York, where he met and married Ellen Mannion, who was born in
County Galway, Ireland, from which county she had come to New York
state as a girl with her parents. In 1856 Robert Daly and wife came to
Michigan, locating in Burton township, this county, where he entered forty
acres of timber land from the government. He cleared a small plot and
erected a log house, after which he and his wife worked out for two years,
working on the Bickford farm, in order to get means with which to develop
their land. They then cleared and developed their own place, on which they
continued to reside for thirty years. They added to their original holdings
until they had a good farm of one hundred and ten acres, which they made

332 GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

through their individual efforts, having started \vith nothing. Mr. Dal\
bought finally one hundred and twenty-four acres in Burton township and
one hundred and fifty-seven acres across the road, owning in all about four
hundred acres. He became one of the influential citizens of his township
and was highly respected. His death occurred on January 24, 1906. His
widow survives, making her home among her surviving children. To Robert
Daly and wife seven children were born, namely: Lawrence, who died
when about eleven years of age; James, who died in infancy; Thomas, who
lives on the old homestead; Mary, the wife of WiUiam Ouinn, of Burton
township; Martin, the subject of this sketch; James, the second, who lives
in Flint, and Elizabeth, the wife of James Carten, of Lansing.

Martin Daly received a common-school education and when a boy he
worked hard on the home farm, remaining there until his marriage on June
16, 1908, to Sarah Cashin, who was born in Burton township, this county,
in 1866, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stafford) Cashin, both natives
of Ireland, from which country they came to America, locating in Burton
township, this county.

Mr. Daly is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising
on his farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres, which lies in section 2,
Burton township, four and one-half miles east of Flint. He has kept the
place in an excellent state of cultivation and has improved it in admirable
fashion. Politically, Mr. Daly is a Democrat. He is a member of the Catho-
lic church and of the Knights of Columbus in Flint.

THO.^L\S MUNDY.

One of Genesee count_\-'s pioneer farmers is Thomas IMundy, of Clay-
ton township. He came here from a foreign strand and got good land when
the price was low, and, being willing to work, has made a comfortable living.
He was born in County Kent, nine miles from Maidstone, England, Novem-
ber 16, 1838, a son of William and Sarah (Bontcher) Mundy. The father
was left an orphan when four years of age, and he lived thereafter with an
elder sister until he was ten years old, then began working out by the week"
and it was nut long until he was supporting himself. He married in England
and in 1850, when his son Thomas was twelve years old, he brought his
family to America, reaching this county on July 31st of that year, having
hired a man to bring the family in by way of Flushing, there being no rail-
roads in this part of the state at tliat time. The father had two dollars and

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 333

fifty cents in cash when he reached here. The country was yet a wilderness.
He soon went to work on the state road west of Fhishing, ditching at twenty
dollars a month and board. He finally saved enough to make a payment on
eighty acres of land, where Charles Mundy now lives. Only five acres of
the place had been cleared. He lived only five years after coming here,
passing away on April i6, 1855. One-third of his estate fell to his son
Thomas, who later purchased the interest of the other heirs and became sole
owner of the homestead of eighty acres. He kept his mother with him on
the place during the rest of her life, her death occurring about 1880. He
is now the only survivor of the family.

Thomas Mundy never had much chance to obtain an education. Like
all sons of pioneers he had lots of hard work to do when a boy, but he
become very well informed through wide home reading. In 1861 he mar-
ried Mary Jane Darling, a native of Lockport, New York, and a daughter
of Dr. Sylvester Darling, a practicing physician, who was of French and
German descent. Twelve children were born to Thomas Mundy and his
first wife. Following the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Mundy
married Agnes Ann Brown, widow of John Brown. Her maiden name
was Lee and she was a native of Canada and was reared there.

Mr. Mundy's farm now consists of forty acres. He is taking life easier
than in his earlier career. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has served
as drainage commissioner in his township for fourteen consecutive years and
has also been school director. He has always been interested in whatever '
tended towards the development of Clayton township. He was instrumental
in grading and draining the first school land in his district. He is a man of
decided religious convictions, and has been an active and faithful member
of the Weslevan Methodist church since bovhood.

THOMAS PAGE.

Thomas Page, former city treasurer of Flint, now living retired at his
pleasant home, 509 Smith street, Flint, is a native of New York, having
been born in the village of East Avon, in Livingston county, that state,
July 14, 1840, son of Abraham and Bridget (Carroll) Page, the former a
native of England and the latter of Ireland, who later came to this county
and spent their last days in Flint.

Abraham Page was born in Hertfordshire, son of James and Elizabeth
Page, the former dying when past middle age and the latter living to more

334 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

tlian ninety years of age. Jame.s F'age was a shoemaker and he and his
wife were the parents of si.x children, John, .Vbraham. James, Thomas and
two daughters. Abraham Page was trained to the trade of shoemaking and
became a proficient workman in that Hne. He served for seven years in
the British army and in 1836, shortly after their marriage, he and his
wife came to the United States, locating at Lockp^rt, New York, presently
moving thence to Avon, same state, where they lived until 1854, when they
came to Michigan and located at Flint. Upon his arrival at Flint, Abra-
ham Page began working at his trade, boot and shoemaker, and later estab-
lished a business of his own, which he managed for about six years, or
until his death in 1867, at the age of fifty-six years. His widow survived
him for many years, her death occurring in 1883, she then Ijeing seventy-
two years of age. She was a daughter of James and Mary Carroll, natives
of Ireland, lx)th of whom died there, well along in years. James Carroll
was a tailor and he and his wife were the parents of four children, Peter,
Daniel, Bridget and Mary. Abraham Page and his wife were members of
the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There
were .seven of these children, namely: ^largaret, deceasd, who was the
wife of Thomas Daly, of Burton township, this county; Thomas, the sub-
ject of this sketch; James, of Chicago; John, deceased; Henry, deceased:
Charles E., deceased, and one who died in infancy.

Thomas Page was fourteen years old when he came to this county with
his parents from New York in 1854 and he has lived here ever since, with
the exception of eighteen months spent at Bay City. Following in the
footsteps of his father and his grandfather he early learned the .trade of
shoemaker and became a skilled craftsman in that line, a trade which he
followed for twenty-one years, eleven years of which time he spent as
instructor in the trade to the boys at the school for the deaf in flint. Upon
retiring from that position he clerked in Charles ]\Iason's drug store for
two years, at the end of which time he opened a grocery store, which he
conducted for seventeen years. A }ear later he was elected city treasurer
of Flint and served in that office f(ir two years. Mr. Page had long given
his earnest attention to local political aft'airs and had previously served as
alderman from the first ward for four years, 1875-79, and as alderman from
the fifth ward for five years, 1903-08, resigning the latter seat to take the
office of city treasurer. He was elected supervisor in 1880 and in that capacity
rendered further public service for thirteen years.

On April 25, 1877, Thomas Page was united in marriage to Susan .\.
\\'elch. who was horn at Long Island City. Xew York, March 18, 1847,

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

335

daughter of Martin and Ellen (Connor) Welch, natives of County Kiklare,
Ireland, who came to the United States, settling in New York, where they
lived until they came to Michigan in 1858. Martin Welch was a farmer in
his young manhood, but later engaged in railroad work in the employ of
the Grand Trunk Railroad and was thus engaged for years, with headquarters
at Flint. He died on October 20, 1883, at the age of seventy-two years. His
wife had preceded him to the grave but a little more than two months, her
death having occurred on August 15, of that same year. They were members
of the Catholic church and the parents of four children, Mrs. Page having
three brothers, Nich<ilas, William and Matthew. Mrs. Page's paternal grand-
parents, John and Mary ( Brannagan ) Welch, farmers in Ireland, were the
parents of four children, Nancy, John, Thomas and William. Her maternal
grandparents were Thomas and Eliza (Cleary) Connor.

To Thomas and Susan A. (Welch) Page four children have been born,
as follow : Mary E., who married Alex. Donald Gundry, of Grand Blanc,
this county, and has six children, Margaret Ellen, George Thomas, Alexander
I'dward, Donald Page, Susan Mary and Elizabeth: Edward M., who is a
clothing merchant at Flint; Thomas C, who died unmarried at the age of
t\\enty-six years, and Ellen Margaret, who died unmarried at the age of
twenty-three. Mr. and ^Irs. Page are members of St. Michael's Catholic
church and he is a meml>er of the Knights of Columbus, in the affairs of
which he takes a warm interest.

HENRY COOK, M. D.

Dr. Henr}- Cook, a physician and surgeon at Mint, was born on Febru-
ary 28, 1886, in Shiawassee county, this state, son of Jonas E. and Anna
R. (Schroeder) Cook, both natives of ^Michigan and the parents of four
children, those beside the subject of this sketch being Jonas E., Jr., of near
Owosso; William F.. of Owosso, and one child who died in infancy.

Jonas Cook is a prominent farmer of Shiawassee county and resides on
the farm near Owosso on which he was born. Mrs. Cook also is a native
of that same county. They are active members of the Methodist Protestant
church and take much interest in church work.

The paternal grandparents of Doctor Cook were Jonas Cook and wife,
natives of the state of New York, the former of whom, a shoemaker and
farmer in his native state, became one of the pioneers of Shiawassee countv.

336 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

where he and his wife hved many years and died at advanced ages. They
were the parents of four children, Christopher T., \'olkert, Charles H. and
Jonas E. The maternal grandparents, Henry and Marie (Reichle) Schroeder,
natives of Germany, also were early pioneers of Shiawassee county. Mr.
Schroeder is still living. Mrs. Schroeder has been dead about fifteen years.
They were the parents of eight children, William, Henry, Catherine, Barbara,
Amelia, Anna, Charlotte and Etta.

Henry Cook was reared on his father's farm, attended school in Middle-
bury township and later was graduated from the Owosso high school in
1903. He later entered the University of Michigan and in 1909 was gradu-
ated from the Detroit College of Medicine. He began the practice of his
profession at Flint in June, 1909, and he has built a large and growing
practice.

On November 3. 1909, Dr. Henry Cook was married to ]\Iary .\ckroyd,
daughter of John and Orpha ( Albright) Ackroyd, and to this union two
children have been born, Harold and Lynn Henry. Mrs. Cook is a native
of Michigan, having Ijeen born in the state in 1888. Her father is a native
of England and her mother of Canada, but have made their home in Shia-
wassee county for many years. They are the parents of four children. Wini-
fred, ]\Ierle, Eva and Mary.

Doctor and Mrs. Cook are active members of the Oak Park Methodist
Episcopal church and take much interest in all branches of church work.
The Doctor is a member of the County, State and American Medical Asso-
ciations, and his every effort is to become more proficient in the noble call-
ing in which he is engaged. His life is an active one, for besides attending
to his professional duties he has been a member of the board of education
since 191 1 and is at present chairman of the public library board.

GEORGE \MLBER TICE.

George Wilber Tice, head of the firm of Tice & Company, in\-estment
brokers and dealers in real estate and insurance, with ofhces in the Flint P.
Smith buiUling at Flint, is a native of Michigan, bom on a homestead farm
in Riley township. St. Clair county, January 14. 1865. He is a son of
Philip and Myra ( Lymburner) Tice, both natives of Canada, born in Castor
precinct, twenty-five miles from Hamilton, Ontario, who came to j\Iichigan
after their marriage and purchased the James Forshee farm in Riley town-

GENFSEE COL^NTY, MICHIGAN. 337

shi]), St. I'lair count\. There they reared their family and spent the re.st of
their h\"e.s, the former dying in 1913, at the age of eighty-three years. His
wife had died many years before, at the age of lifty-eight. her death being
due to injuries received in a fall from a tree. They were members of the
Methodist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were
nine of these children, namely: Gilman, deceased; .Mpheus, David. Kirk;
Jennie AI., deceased, who was the wife of William Braidwood : (leorge \\'.,
the subject of tliis biographical sketch: Minnie, widow of William Wolf, of
Ortonville, this state: Rose, unmarried, li\'ing near [Memphis, this state, and
Robert, of the same place.

The Tices are of German tlesccnt and the name in the old country was
spelled Theis. Philip Tice's father, John Theis, a native of Germany, mar-
ried a iN'Ioot and emigrated to ( 'anada, pre-empting a farm there, and there
he and his wife spent the rest of th.eir lives, rearing twelve children on their
homestead place. J"or puqjoses of local convenience the foreign name was
.Anglicized to Tice and the descendants of John Theis have e\-er since fol-
lowed that rendering of the family name. Grandfather Tice li\-ed to be
eighty-fi\'e }-ears old and his wife was some older than that at the time of
her death. The Lymburners are of Welsh descent. Grandfather Lymburner,
father of Mrs. Philip Tice, having been born in Wales. He married a Swick
and became a farmer and lumberman in Canada, where lie died at an old
age an.cl where he and his wife reared a large family.

r^eorge W. Tice was reared on the paternal homestead where he was
born, in St. Clair count)', receivmg his schooling in the district schools of
that neighljorhood, and remained at home until he was twenty-one }'ears old.
Then he went to Larimore, Xorth Dakota, and for awhile was engaged in
farming in that \icinity, after which he became engaged as a salesman for
a compan>' manufacturing farm machinery. He later became a stationary
engineer and machinist and moved to W^ebb City, Missouri, where he was
engaged as a stationary engineer and electrician until IQ07, in which year
he returned to IMichigan and located at Flint, where he engaged in the insur-
aiice business and has ever since been located there. Several years ago he
added to his insurance business that of general in\estment broker and dealer
in real estate and is doing ^•ery well. Mr. Tice is a Republican and takes a
warm interest in local political affairs.

On June 2j. 1889, George W. Tice was united in marriage to Angle F.
P>ailey, who was born on a farm in Richmond township, Macomb county,
this state. She is a daughter of James and Julia (Richards') Baile^^ the
(22a)

338

5ENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

former a native of Canada and the latter of the state of New York, both
now dead, who were the parents of four children, Mrs. Tice having a brother,
Herbert Cailey, and two sisters, Alma and Hattie. James Bailey was the
son of Richard Bailey and his wife was a daughter of Elisha Richards. To
Mr. and Mrs. Tice three children have been bom, Glenn, Wilna and Irma.
Glenn Tice, who is a machinist at Flint, married Gertrude Shetron. Wilria
Tice married L.. J. Doepker, now living at Viceroy, Saskatchewan, Canada,
and has two children, Dorothy Mary and Wilber Joseph. Mr. and Mrs.
Tice are members of the Baptist church and take an earnest interest in the
general good works of this community.

A. C. SLOCUM.

The old pioneers are entitled to our gratitude and highest esteem, for
they were the forerunners of our present magnificent civilization. They
endured the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier in order
that succeeding generations might find life easier and happier. One of this
worthy band in Genesee county is A. C. Slocum, of Gaines township. He
was born in Monroe county, New York, December 20, 1842, and is a son
of Abraham and ]Mary (Davis) Slocum, both natives of the state of Xew
York, where they grew up on farms and were married; after which they
settled on a farm in ^Monroe county, but presently moved with their family
to Michigan, locating at Flint, where they lived six months, during which
time the death of the mother occurred. The father then moved with his
children to a forty-acre farm in Burton township. The land was not improved,
but he cleared away the timber and built a home, planting crops, and con-
tinued to reside there until the subject of this sketch was twentj^-three years
of age, when the family located in Gaines township, on a forty-acre place
which the father had previously purchased, and on which Abraham Slocum
spent the rest of his life, dying at the age of sevent3--five years. His family
consisted of three children, one of whom is deceased; A. C, the subject
of this sketch, and Alice, widow of G. P. Power, now living in Jackson.

A. C. Slocum grew up on the home farm where he worked when a boy.
He received a limited education in the pioneer district schools. When start-
ing out in life for himself he settled on the farm where he still resides in
Gaines township, which place consists of one hundred and thirty acres, which
he has kept well improved and well tilled and where he has carried on gen-
eral farming and stock raising successfully.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 339

On June 6, 1868, A. C. Slocum was united in marriage to Loretta A.
Jewell, a daughter of Rev. J. B. Jewell, an early settler in this locality and a
pioneer Presbyterian preacher, for many years, a well-known and influential
resident in this section of the state. One son has been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Slocum, A. D. Slocum, who married Eva Stafford and has three chil-
dren, Gracie M., David Albert and Guy Harold. A. D. Slocum is a Demo-
crat, but is liberal in his political views. He is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America at Gaines.

The Rev. J. B. Jewell, father of Mrs. Slocum, was born in Montgom-
ery county, New York, July 28, 18 14, and early learned the trade of black-
smith, which he followed for some time after taking up the calling of a
minister of the gospel. He married Lucy Ann Lazell, of Steuben county.
New York, and not long afterward came to Michigan, settling in Oakland
county, but presently moved over into Genesee county. In 1849 he went
to California, seeking betterment of his health by a change of climate, and
remained there, engaged in preaching, for ten years, at the end of which time
he returned to this county, but after a brief stay here returned to Cali-
fornia, where he remained ten years longer. He then returned to his home
in this county and started a mission field, with Gaines as a center, and was
thus engaged as an active minister of the gospel, connected with the Presby-
terian church, until his retirement about five years before his death. His
wife died in October, 1894, and his death occurred in the December follow-
ing. They were the parents of nine children, Mary A., Martin Van Buren,
William S., John E., Miranda, Loretta E., Phoebe C, Maria C. and Josephine.
Not a great while before his death, the Rev. J. B. Jewell wrote a reminis-
cent article for a local newspaper, from which the following excerpt is taken :
"Something over forty years ago, I rode through where Durand now stands
on my pony to the Garrison school house to preach. A log house was the
sole building of the place and all the country was a wilderness and deer
and bears were common. The Garrison school house stood one mile south
of Vernon. From there I preached at Newburg, a little town on the west
side of the Shiawassee river. From there into the town of Antrim; thence
into Livingston and Genesee counties, and from there home. I lived at that
time on the Baldwin road, two miles west of the county line, my circuit
including a part of three counties. I soon learned that I could not clear up
a farm and ride a circuit. I also got tired of the Methodist modus operandi
and joined the Presbyterian presbytery at Detroit. That was over forty
years ago. I then left my farm and laid out a mission field at Long Lake,
Mundy, and a part of Gaines, and moved to Long Lake. I labored in that

340 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

field ten years and raised up a nice, livinj^ clnirch, which still continues. I
left it with forty members. j\ly health failed me antl one of the l>est doctors
in the state gave me up to die — said I cuuld Udt live another year. He
advised me to go to California, which 1 did in 1X49. His name was Doctor
Wikom. You may not know him, Init many of your readers do. 1 was absent
from home, in all, twenty-one years, but talked with my family through the
silent language of the pen, and sent them home considerable money. I
came home with much im]>roved health. I then laid out a mission field in
the town of Gaines, where I now live. I labored nine years on this field
and Iniilt a gond church, which }-()u may have seen when in our town. I
have been retired from acti\-e labor for the past five years, been confined to
my house all winter with the asthma, ;md have not been in Gaines since last
fall."

BURTIS E. WOOLFITT.

Burtis E. Woolfitt, of the firm of Woolfitt, Alacomber & Campbell, real
estate and insurance, with oi^ces in the Dryden building at Flint, is a native
son of Genesee county, of good old pioneer stock, both his parents having
been born in this county, and he has lived here all his life. He was born
on a farm in Thetford township, February 21, 1872, son of Eber and Frances
( Barkley) Woolfitt, both natives of this county, the former of whom is
still living. Eber Woolfitt was born on a pioneer farm one mile south of
Mt. Morris, this county, son of John and Jane M. (Allen) W'oolfitt, who
were among the earliest settlers of that part of Genesee countw John
^\'oolfitt was born in Lincoln, England, May 24, 1804, luit when a young
man (in 1834) came across the water and settled in Alichigan. Fi\e years
later he was married to Jane M. Allen of Flint, she being a native of the
Dominion of Canada. They immediately started housekeeping on the home-
stead farm one mile south of Mt. Morris, which he located from the
government when he first came into this countw and there he spent the rest
of his life, being nearly eighty-seven years of age at the time of his death.
His widow survived him some little time, she being nearly eight}-four years
of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of nine children,
Mary, Elizabeth, Eber, Caroline, Charlotte, Matilda, .\mos, William, and
the development of the same, and has been a farmer nearly all his life.
He married Frances Barkley, who was born in Thetford township, daughter
of Crawford and Sarah (Haines) Barklev, natives of Xew York state, who

GKNF.SEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 34I

became earl}- settlers in Genesee county. Upon coming to this count\- Ijotli
Crawford Barkley and his wife entered claims to homestead tracts in Thet- .
ford township, homesteading adjoining "eighties." They built their cabin
home on the line separating the two homesteads and thus held both claims
in one residence. At that time the nearest milling point was Pontiac and
Crawford Barkle}- was accustomed to carry a sack of corn on his shoulders
to that point, returning with a sack of meal. Both Crawford Barkley and his
wife spent the rest of their lives on their homestead farm, both living to ripe
old ages. They were the parents of five children. Josiah, Robert, Charles,
Frances and Antoinette, all of whom lixed to maturity save the latter.
After his marriage Eber Woolfitt cleared and improved an eighty-acre farm
in Thetford township, on which he made his home until about 1890, when
he moved to Clio, Michigan, and then to Bay City. In 1914 he moved to
a farm one mile south of Mt. Morris, where he is still living. He is a Prohi-
bitionist in his political \iews and has taken an active part in local politics.
having served as supervisor, township trustee and justice of the peace in his
home township. For a few years he made his residence in the village of Clio
and while there served as a councilman and also as president of the village
board. It was while residing at Clio that his wife died, in 1895. She was
a member of the Congregational church. To Eber \Voolfitt and wife two
children were born, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Eva, who mar-
ried John Chisholm, of Flint.

Burtis E. Woolfitt was reared on his father's farm, receiving his ele-
mentarv education in the district school in that neighborhood, supplementing
the same by a course in the high school at Clio, after which he took a course in
a business college at Bay City. He then was employed as a bookkeeper in the
the bank of Charles H. May & Company at Clio and presently rose to the
position of cashier of that bank. He remained with the May bank for
seven vears, at the end of which time he transferred his services to the Union
Trust and Savings Bank at Flint and was connected with the abstract and
insurance department of that institution for about two years, after which
he entered the real-estate and insurance firm of Derby & Choate, at Mint,
the firm becoming the Derby, Choate & Woolfitt Company, this connection
continuing until 1903, when Mr. Wolfitt and Elmore J. Macomber purchased
the business of the Derby, Choate & Woolfitt Company and up to July i,
1916, continued the same under the firm name of Woolfitt & Macomber,
long having been recognized as among the leading dealers in realty in this
part of the state. This firm platted Sylvan Court, in the heart of the city
of Flint: Riverside, Fairview, River addition to Fairview and Xorthern addi-

342 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

tion to Fairview, containing in all about one hundred and eighty acres and
built many houses for home-seekers. On July i, 1916, Osborn A. Camp-
bell of Detroit, was taken into the firm, the name of which was then changed
to Woolfitt, Macomber & Campbell. Mr. Woolfitt is a Republican, with
strong leanings toward prohibition, and takes an earnest interest in local
political affairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class.

On June 6, 1894, Burtis E. Woolfitt was united in marriage to Gertrude
M. Congleton, daughter of Harold F. and Emily J. (German) Congleton,
and who died without issue one year and nine months after her marriage.
On April 3, 1900, Mr. Woolfitt married, secondly, Martha Bannister, who
was born at Utica, this state, August 22, 1878, daughter of E. Burke and
Augusta M. (Merrill) Banister, both natives of this state. E. Burke Ban-
nister, who died in 1892, at the age of forty-one years, was the state agent
for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. His widow survived until October
I, 191 5, and was sixty-three years of age at the time of her death. They
were the parents of three daughters, Claudia, Martha and Florence, who
were reared in the faith of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Woolfitt
are members of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church at Flint and
take an active interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in
all local good works. For years Mr. Woolfitt has been a member of the
board of trustees of the church and is now secretary of the same. He is
a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated with the Michigan Sovereign Con-
sistory,' Valley of Detroit, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; a member of
Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No.
23, Royal Arch Masons; Flint Council No. 56, Royal and Select Masters;
Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, and both he and
Mrs. Woolfitt also is a member of Genesee Lodge No. 24, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, of which lodge he was financial secretary for two years,
and his wife are members of Genesee Lodge No. 355, Daughters of Rebekah.

FRANK P. HASKELL.

Frank P. Haskell, a well-known merchant at Flusliing, and president
of that village, was born in Holley, New York, February 5, 1857, a son
of George W. and Sarah O. (Perry) Haskell, the former a native of Maine,
whose parents moved to Holley, New York, when he was a small boy. George
W. Haskell was married in Holley and lived there until 1866, when he came
to Michigan, buying property on the line of Flushing and Mt. Morris town-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 343

ship in this county, and made his home there until about 1878, when he
sold and purchased a farm south of Flushing village, where he made his
home until his death, which occurred in 1902, at the age of seventy-five
years. Sarah O. Haskell was born in Kendall, Orleans county, New York,
in 1838, and lived at the place of her birth until she was married. She
was a daughter of John and Lucy (Webster) Perry, farming people and
natives of New York, the latter a kinsman of Daniel Webster. To George
W. Haskell and wife three children were born, Frank P., the subject of this
sketch; Ella, born in 1859, who married S. C. Ottoway, a farmer living in
Flushing, and Addie B., who married H. E. Brockway, of Flint. Mrs.
Sarah O. Haskell died in 1969, aged seventy-one years.

Frank P. Haskell was educated partly in New York state, attending the
primary schools there for about two years. At the age of nine years he
came with his parents and the rest of the family to Michigan. He attended
the graded school at Flushing, and the high school at Flint, afterwards
graduating from the high school at Flushing. He then went into the employ
of Niles & Vickery, general merchants, remaining with that firm for eight
years as bookkeeper and chief clerk. He then for two years was with Albert
Meyers, a clothing merchant in Flint, and then went to Saginaw and was
with Bonham & Spaulding, as special sales manager, for a short time, after-
ward going with the S. R. Batson Tailoring Company, Detroit, as cutter
and bookkeeper, and was thus engaged for six years, at the end of which
time he went to Chicago and took a position as commercial traveler for
Skinner Brothers, dealers in woolen goods. Mr. Haskell was on the road
for about seven years, or until 1905, when he retired and returned to Flush-
ing. For about three years thereafter he lived on the old homestead, engaged
in farming. In 1908 he bought out H. H. Chatler's store, in Flushing, dealing
in groceries, paints, wall paper, decorations, and the like, and conducted that
business for seven years. In 1915 he disposed of his grocery business, retain-
ing the other lines, and moved his store to the Odd Fellows block, north
side of Main street, where he has since continued business.

In April, 1885, Frank P. Haskell was married to Phoebe A. Bowman,
who was born in Flushing, Nc-vember 13, 1859, a daughter of Franklin and
Helen (Hinkley) Bowipan. and to this union one child has been born, a
daughter, Sarah Blanche, who married Thomas Cooper, of Flint, and has one
child, a son, Thomas Haskell Cooper, born on April 12, 1916.

Frank P. Haskell is a Republican and has held several official positions
in township and village. He was elected clerk of Flushing township in 191 1
and served for two years. He then, in 1913, was elected village treasurer

3.J.4 GENKSEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

and a \ear later, in 1914, was elected township treasurer for a one-\ear
term, and was re-elected. In 191 5 he was elected president of the village
council, in which position he is now ser\ing. Mr. Haskell is identified with
several secret and fraternal orders. He is a Royal Arch INIason and a
Knight Templar, member of the blue lodge and tiie chapter at Flushing,
past high priest of the latter, and of the conimandery at Flint. He also is
a member of the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star at Mint, l-'or
the past twenty years he has been commander of the local tent of the Macca-
bees and is likewise a member of the lodge of the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Flks at Cirand Rapids.

Gl-ORGR \. MITCHl'LL.

George .\. ]\litcheH, well-known dealer in real estate at Mint, is a native
of Xew ^'ork Gity, but has been a resident of this .state since be was an
infant in arms and tiierefore regards himself as much a .son of Michigan
as one "native and to the nianner bom." He was born on June 14. 1S66.
son of William and Hester A. ( Rogers ) Mitchell, both natives of Xew York
state, who later came to Michigan and the latter of whom is still li\ing.

William .Mitchell's parents were nati\es of Gonnecticut anil he had two
sisters, both of whom died witliout issue. He was reared in Xew ^'ork and
was trained to the cooper's trade, liecoming proprietor of a cooper shf)p m
Xew '^'ork iky. When the Gi\il War broke out he enlisted in one of the
Xew York regiments and ser\ed for four years. In 1867 he came to Mich-
igan with his f.amily and purchased a farm of si.xty acres near ( )wosso. in
the neighboring count)" of Shiawassee, which he im])ro\ed. and there he sjient
the rest of his life, bis death occurring in 1905. he then being seventv-five
years of age. His widow still survives him and resides in Owosso. She
is a daughter of Moses and Betsy ( Puggsley ) Rogers, natives of Xew Ynvk
state, who came to ^Michigan in 1867 and settled in the village of Burton, in
Shiawassee count). Moses Rogers was a Iniilding contractor in .Xew \drk
and bad done well in that line, so that after conn'ng to this state he was in a
position to li\e practicall)- retired from the active labors of life. Both be
and his wife lived to ripe old ages. They were the parents of sc\en chil-
dren, of whom Mrs. Mitchell was the fifth in order of birth, the others lieing
Sumner. Gbjirles. i'dizabeth. Maria, George and .\ugusta. To William and
Hester .\. ( Kogers ) Mitchell lixc children were born who lived to maturitv.

-^^^ 6i^ ?KaUc£L.

GFNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 345

iiair.e!}' : Jsabel. wife of George L. \'anDyne, of Owosso: William, of
C'oldwater, this state; .Maria i deceased ). who was the wife of Samuel Doh-
liins: George A., the suhject of this biographical review, and hVank H., of
Marshall, this state.

George A. Mitchell was reared on the parental farm in Shiawassee count\'
and recei\-ed his schooling in the district school in. the neighborhootl of his
home. When twenty years of age he left the farm and learned the cigar-
maker's trade, later becoming a manufacturer of cigars at Fenton, this count\-.
where he remained in business about eight years, at llie end of which time,
in J()o8, he mo\ed to Mint, where he e\er since has been successfully engaged
in the real-estate business. Mr. Mitchell is a progressive Republican and
takes an earnest interest in general political affairs, liut has never been a
seeker after public office. He is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd I'ellows.

On December 23, i()05, George .\. Mitchell was united in marriage to
Hora A. Simjjson, wlio was born at Mushing, this county, daughter of Mer-
ritt and Xettie (Wilcox) Simjjson, t\v; former a native of Michigan and the
latter of \'ermont, she ha\ing come to this state with her parents in her girl-
hood. Merritt Simpson's parents were pioneers of this section of the state
anil his mother is still li\ing, being now past ninety years of age. Merritt
.Sim]ison and his wife are now li\-ing ;it I'lint. To them three children
were born. Mrs. Mitchell ha\-ing two brothers, .\rchie and Emmet. 'Sirs.
Simpson's parents, John Wilcox and wife, both natives of the state of \'er-
mont. are now dead, their last da\-s having been spent in this count}-.

ELMORE J. MAGOMBER.

lilmore J. Macomber, well-known real-estate dealer, member of the
lirm of Woolfitt, Macomber & Gampbell, the Dryden Ijuilding, Flint, is a
native of Xew York, born in I'hiladelphia, Jefiferson county, that state,
December 29, 1870, son of .\sa and Josephine (Mcsher) Macomber, b(->th
natives of that state, to whom three children were born, the subject of this
sketch having a brother, Ir\in L. Macomber, of Mint, and a sister, Helen
-A., wife of W. O. Smith, of O.xford, this state.

Asa Macomber was reared in Jefferson county, Xew York, and became
a general merchant in the town of Philadelphia, that county, where he also
served as ixistmaster. In 1880 he came to Michigan with his familv and

346 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

located at Holly, where he engaged in merchandising and where he died
in 1885. His widow still survives and is making her home at Flint. She
is a daughter of Joseph H. and Sarah A. (Green) Mosher, natives of New
York, farming people there, who later came to Michigan and settled in the
village of Gratton, near Grand Rapids, later moving to Holly, where they
spent their last days, both Hving to good old ages. They were the parents of
five children, Sylvester D., Josephine, Alvina, Ida E. and one who died in
infancy.

Elmore J. IMacomber was ten years old when he came to Michigan with
his parents in 1880 and he grew to manhood at Holly. Upon completing
the course in the public schools he began clerking in a general store at that
place and was thus engaged for fifteen years or until 1900, in which year
he moved to Flint. The next year, in 1901, he formed a partnership with
Burtis E. Woolfitt, in the general real-estate and insurance business, and
has ever since been thus engaged, the firm long having been recognized as one
of the most enterprising and progressive dealers in that line in this part of
the state. They are now promoting four additions to the city of Flint and
have contributed largely to the recent upbuilding of the city. In the sum-
mer of 1916 the firm was augmented by the acquisition thereto of Osborn A.
Campbell, of Detroit, the firm name since then being Woolfitt, Macomber &
Campbell. Mr. Macomber is a Republican and for four years served as a
member of the Flint board of alderman, representative from the third ward.

On March 29, 1909, Elmore J. Macomber was united in marriage to
Minnie L. Olifif, who was born at Mil ford, this state, daughter of Thomas
and Emily Olifif, natives of England, who are now living at Clio, this county.
Thomas Oliff is a brick manufacturer at Clio and president of the Clio State
Bank. To him and his wife five children have been born, namely; Lillian,
deceased; Mabel, w-ife of Don Lawrence, of Ypsilanti, this state; Minnie L.,
who married Mr. Macomber; Edith, w'ho married Charles Matson, cashier
been born, daughters, Emily Joseph, Elmora Lillian and Ann Bryce. Mrs.

To Elmore J. and Minnie L. ( Olift' ) Macomljer three children have
Macomber is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Macomber is a
thirty-second degree Mason, afifiliated with the consistory. Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite, at Bay City, and is a noble of Elf Khurafeh Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Saginaw. His local con-
nection with Masonry is through Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted
Masons; Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and Genesee Val-
ley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar. He also is a member of the
Knights of the Loyal Guard, and in the affairs of all these organizations
takes a warm interest.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 347

JAMES P. COLE.

James P. Cole, chief of police of Flint, is a native son of that city and
has lived there all his life, thus being thoroughly familiar with every detail
of the city's later growth and development. He has been connected with the
police department of Flint since 1900, was promoted from captain to chief
in 1914 and is one of the best-known police officials in the state of Michigan.
He was born on November 5, 1875, son of Thomas and Ellen (O'Brien)
Cole, the former of whom was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and the latter
in the city of Limerick, Ireland, both of whom spent their last days in
Flint, where they had lived the greater part of their lives.

Thomas Cole was the son of Charles Cole and wife who came to this
city from Ireland and for years lived in Boston, later going to Canada and
settling on a farm near Windsor, where their last years were spent, Charles
Cole being nearly one hundred years old at the time of his death. His wife
also lived to a ripe old age. They were the parents of eight children, Thomas
Cole was reared in the city of Boston and early became thoroughly familiar
with the work of railroad construction. When about twenty years old he
came to Michigan and was for some time engaged in railroad construction
work at Detroit, later being sent to Saginaw in charge of the construction
of that division of the Pere Marquette road, upon the completion of which
task he located at Flint, where he spent the rest of his life. Not long after
locating at Flint Thomas Cole married Ellen O'Brien, who had come to this
country with her parents, David O'Brien and wife, natives of Ireland, who
later became residents of Flint, where their last days were spent. David
O'Brien and wife were the parents of seven children, James, Patrick, Michael,
Bridget, Catherine, Mary and Ellen. Thomas Cole died in 1912, at the age
of eighty -three years. His widow survived him three years and was sixty-
three years of age at the time of her death on December 23, 19 15. They
were members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that
faith. There were six of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch
was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Charles (deceased), Min-
nie C, Thomas B., Frances, who died in infancy, and Frances C, all the
survivors being residents of Flint.

Upon completing his schooling in the parochial schools at Flint, James P.
Cole began working for Thomas Doyle in the ice, coal and wood business
and then for several years, or until his apportionment to the police force in
1909, was engaged as a clerk in a grocery store. Upon receiving his appoint-
ment to the police force he early demonstrated his fitness for that form of

34^ GENESKE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

service and gradually rose to the rank of captain and had served with that
rank for five years, when, on August i, 1914, he was elevated to the position
of chief of the department, which position he now occupies. Chief Cole is
generally regarded as being the right man for the responsil^le position he
now occupies and he ranks high among the police chiefs of this state, his
department having a fine reputation for general discipline and efficiency.

On Se])tember 11, 1907, James P. Cole was united in marriage to Mary
Helen Dunn, who also was born at Mint, daughter of Peter and Catherine
(Dwyer) Dunn, the former of whom, a native of Ireland, came to this coun-
try when a young man and located at Flint, where he married and where he
reared his family, he and his wife having been the parents of five children,
those l^esides Mrs. Cole being Margaret. Catherine and two who died young.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been born two children, Mary Helen and Mar-
garet Dacy. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of St. Michael's Catholic
church and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

JACOB VEIT.

The c|ualities of keen discernment, accurate discrinu'nation, sountl jutlg-
ment and executi'v'e al^ility enter \ery largely into the makeup of Jacoli
\^eit, of the firm of \ eit & Perry, wholesale saddlery, harness, leather ami
findings, of b^lint. I'or many years he has been one of the protninent busi-
ness men and esteemed citizens of Genesee count}-. Many adnnrablc traits
have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to
him during his long and worthy business career.

Jacob V'eit was born in Baden, Germany, in the \ illage of Xieder-
schopfheim, February 15, 1847, ^ son of Sebastian and l-'lizabeth (Steiger)
Veit, natives of France and Germany, respectively, of the Alsace-Lorraine
country. Sebastian N'eit was a glass worker. He came to the I'nited
States about 1846, but returned to the old country, later coming liack to
America, being followed by his fanuly in 1848, Jacob being the youngest
of his children. He settled with his family at Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
where he followed his trade and spent the rest of his life, dying about the
year 1857. His widow survived until she was se\enty-two years okl. Tliex-
were reared in the Catholic faith, from which they never tleparted. To
these parents six children were born, namely: Jo.sephine, who married
Anthonv Gosse and is now deceased: Amelia, who married Charles I'assett,

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 349

also deceased; Jacob, the subject of this sketch, and three who (hed in
infanc}-. The father uf Sebastian V'eit was a physician who hved and died
in l'"rance. His family consisted of three children, Margaret, Philip and
Sebastian. 'Die maternal grandparents were natives of Baden, Germany,
where (irandfather Steiger kept a vineyard and made wine. He and his
wife spent their li\es there, reaching advanced years. Among their children
were Michael, Rrigita and l^lizabeth.

Jacob \"eit was not quite two years of age when his parents brought
him t(j America. He grew u]) in Mt. Clemens, where he received a com-
mon-school education, and when a boy learned the trade of tanner, which he
followed until he went into business for himself, in January, 1889. It was
on December 2S, 1868, that he moved to Flint and Ijegan working for his
lirother-in-la\v, Charles Bassett, under whom he learned the tanner's trade,
and succeeded him in the business in 1889, continuing the shop in partner-
ship with Clark T. Perry. They operated on a small scale for awhile, but
their business increased with the \'ears and their cpiarters ha\e had to be
enlarged from time to time, until now they ha\e a large and well-ecjuipped
nindern establishment and, carry on an extensive wholesale and retail busi-
ness, which is confined principally to the state of Michigan. They manu-
facture harness and deal in saddlery and shoe findings, employing a con-
siderable number of assistants. They have been in business twenty-seven
vears n.nder the lirm name of A'^eit & Perry, and have enjoyed a continuous
growth all the whilt-, owing to their honest dealings, good management and
the fact that they sentl out onl}- high-grade products.

Jacol) \'eit has been twice married. On January 15, 1869, he was
united in marriage to Mizabeth .\ckerman, a daughter of John Ackerman
and wife. }ier death occurred in 1870, leaving one son, William Veit, now
a successful business man of Flint, where he has long been engaged in the
lumber and coal business. He married Nellie fiye, and has one son, Will-
iam \'eit, Jr. Flizabeth Ackerman was born at Grossc Point, Wayne county,
Michigan, and .she was only sex'enteen years old at the time of her death.
She was a member of the (Terman Lutheran church. On May 21, 1873,
Jacob \'eit married, second!}-, .Sarah Hyslop Corkey, who was born in New
\'ork City, a daughter of Josejib and Catherine ( ?^Iiddlemus ) Corkey, the
former a nati\e of County Armagh, Ireland, from which country he came
to America when sc\-enteen }-ears of age. Mr. Corkey was born in New-
York City, ')f Scotch ;md Fnglisb parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Corkey came
\\est in an earlv day and settled at Flint, in which vicinity he engaged in
farming. Thev are both now- deceased. Their family consisted of six chil-

350 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

dren, Agnes, Elspeth, Joseph, Mary, Harry and Sarah H. To Mr. \'eit
and his last wife three children have been born, Catherine Elizabeth, who
was graduated from the Flint high school and the University of Michigan
at Ann Arbor ; Josephine, who received a good education in the local schools
and is at home with her parents, and Charles Jacob, who was also given
proper educational advantages and is assisting his father with his business.
Politically, Mr. Veit is a .Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of
Genesee Lodge No. 47, Free and Accepted Masons; of Washington Chapter
No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; of the Flint Council, Royal and Select Masters,
and of Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, and is also
a member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur and of the Foresters. His wife is a
member of the Congregational church.

JOSEPH W. BERRIDGE.

Joseph W. Berridge, a well-known business man of Flint, proprietor of
a drug store at 401 Detroit street, is a native son of Flint and has lived
there the greater part of his life. He was born on April 24, 1876, son of
Walter H. and Nellie (Collins) Berridge, the former of whom was born at
Detroit, this state, and the latter in Ireland.

Walter H. Berridge was a son of Joseph W. Berridge and wife, the
former a native of England, who came to this country and located at Detroit.
Joseph W. Berridge conducted a road house about seven miles out of Detroit
for some years, at the end of which time he came to this county and located
at Clio, where he engaged in the mercantile business until his establishment
was destroyed by fire, after which he bought a farm in the Otter I^ke
neighborhood and there spent the rest of his life. His wife died when
about seventy years of age and he lived to the great age of ninety-nine years,
his death then being due to injuries received when he was kicked by a colt.
He and his wife were the parents of six children, Eliza, William, George,
Charles, Walter and Vesta. Walter Berridge was about eighteen years old
when he came to this county from Detroit with his parents. Not long there-
after he located at Flint and for a time worked at the present stand of
Smith, Bridgeman & Company, and afterwards worked for that company
a number of years. He then embarked in business for himself, in partner-
ship with his brother-in-law. Thomas Collins, in the groceries, drugs and
meat line, and some years later bought his partner's interest in the business

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 35 1

and continued in business alone. He took an active interest in civic affairs
and held various city offices. Walter H. Berridge died in 1904, at the age
of fifty-five years, and his widow still survives him. She is a member of
the Catholic church, as was her husband, and their children were reared in
that faith. There were ten of these children, namely: Ruperta, deceased,
who was the wife of William Hurley; Joseph W., the subject of this bio-
graphical .sketch; John C, of Flint; Walter H., of Wisconsin; Bessie, wife
of Walter McGinnis, of Flint; Leo, also of Flint, and Charles, Nina, Nellie
and Michael, who died in youth. The Widow Berridge was but a baby
when she came to this country from Ireland with her parents, John C. and
Nora (Horan) Collins, natives of Ireland, who settled at Detroit, where they
spent the remainder of their lives, he dying at the age of seventy and she
at the age of eighty. They were the parents of five children, Nellie, Michael,
John, Thomas and Cornelius.

Joseph W. Berridge was reared at Flint, receiving his elementary edu-
cation in the parochial schools, supplementing the same by a course in the
Jesuit College at Detroit, after which he went to Cadillac, where for nearly
seven years he was engaged in the mercantile business, handling groceries,
feed and produce. While living at Cadillac he married Minnie Wolfrain,
who died about eighteen months after her marriage. Mr. Berridge then
went to Grand Rapids and for eighteen months he was engaged there as a
traveling salesman for the wholesale grocery house of Clark, Jewell & Wells.
He then went to Detroit and for two years was manager of a restaurant
there, after which he returned to Flint and was for more than six years
engaged in the service of the Buick Motor Company, then with the Chevrolet
company for two years, at the end of which time he engaged in the drug
business at his present location and has since then been thus engaged, doing
an excellent business. Mr. Berridge is a Democrat and gives a good citizen's
attention to local political affairs, but is not included in the office-seeking
class. He is a member of the Catholic church and gives proper attention
to all movements designed to advance the best interests of his home city.

During his residence in Detroit, Mr. Berridge married, secondly, Julia
Hooley, who was born at Pinconning, this state, daughter of Daniel Hooley
and wife, natives of Ireland, the former of whom is still living. To that
union there was born one child, a daughter, Ruperta. Mrs. Julia Berridge
died on December 24, iqio, and in 19 12 Mr. Berridge married Bessie Bost-
wick, who was born at Orion, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Berridge reside at
516 Payne street and are very comfortably situated there.

352

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

^^'ILLIAM N. WOOD.

Anioncj all the nccupalions ;uk1 professions f>f life, there is none more
honorable, none more independent and none more conducive to health and
happiness than agriculture. One of the contented farmers of Genesee count)
is \\ illiam N. Wood, of Mundy township. He was horn in Deerfield town-
ship, Livingston county, ]Michigan, December 6, 1S46, and is a son of Caleli
and Jane E. ( Sellers | Wood, natives of the states of Xew York and Penn-
sylvania, respecti\eh'. They came to ^Michigan when young and were mar-
ried in Livingston county, May 27, iS.^g. The father died on January 14,
1885; the mother survi\ed to a ripe old age, dying on February 16, 1903.
To these parents four children were born, three of whom survive in 1916,
namely: John W., who is engaged in farming in (Taines township, Genesee
county; Hannah E. is the wife of Ira Gazla}- and they live on a farm in
Mundv township, and William N., of this sketch.

The subject of this re\iew was ten years old when he came with his
parents to Genesee county and he attended the district schools in Alundy
township. Here, in 1856, the father entered eighty acres of land, which
William N. now owns. It was timbered and they cleared and impro\ed it.
erecting buildings, and by their industry made a comfortable home.

William N. Wood married EHza Larobardiere on April 26, 1868. She
was born in Mundy township, this county, June 12, 1847, a daughter of
Francis Larobardiere and wife, natixes of France, from which countr\- they
came to the state of New ^'ork, thence to Genesee county, Michigan.

After their marriage, Mr. and ^Irs. \\'ood went to housekeeping on
their jjresent farm, he owning fort\- acres at that time, and he also now
owns eighty acres in Gaines township and has made a \ery comfortable li\-
ing as a general farmer and stock raiser.

Politically, Mr. Wood is a Republican and ser\ed two terms as high-
way commissioner. He ;uid his wife belong to the Methodist church at
Swartz creek, of which Mr. \\'ood was steward for many years and was
^•ery active in church work.

Francis P. Larobardiere, brother of Mrs. Wood, who is living on his
farm of one hundred acres in Mundy township, was born on this farm,
September 8, 186.^ He is a son of F>ancis and Louisa ( Coquigne ) Laro-
bardiere, both natixcs nf i<'rance, where they grew up, the father in Lor-
raine. ^\'hen a bo}- he came to the L^nited States and located in Black
Ri\er county, New \'ork. later mo\ing to Oswego county, that state. His

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM N. WOOD.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 353

wife was born and reared in Joueve, France, and was twelve years old when
she came to tlie state of New York with her parents, her family locating in
Oswego county, and there she met and married Mr. Larobardiere. Not
long thereafter tliey came to Genesee county, Michigan, locating on a farm
in Mundy township. They purchased three hundred and twenty acres in
one tract, Francis settling on one hundred and sixty acres, where he spent
the rest of his life, dying in the spring of 1869. His family consisted of
eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, and six are still living,
namely: Joseph, of Mundy township; Eliza, who married the subject of
this sketch; Ora, the wife of George Newton, of Mundy township; Limetta,
the wife of Joseph Goodyear; Paulina, the wife of John Wood; Francis P.,
a farmer of Mundy town.ship.

Francis P. Larobardiere grew up on the farm and attended the district
schools and the Flint high school. He lived at home until his marriage, on
December 14, 1887, to Lizzie M. Dittslock, a daughter of Godfrey and
Minnie Dittslock, natives of the vicinity of Bremen, Germany, from which
country they came to Michigan and settled on a farm in Flint township,
Genesee county. After his marriage, Francis P. lived eleven years on a
farm which he owned in section 9, Mundy township, then moved to his
present farm in section 8. His family consists of three children: John P.
is married and lives on the farm; Floyd H. is married and lives in Grand
Blanc ; Edessa, who was graduated from Flint Business College, lives at
home.

CHARLES H. MILLER.

Charles PL Miller, a well-known hardware merchant at Flint and
former president of the Michigan State Hardware Dealers' Association, is a
native .son of Michigan, born in the neighborhood of Ypsilanti, in Wash-
tenaw county, this state, November 3. 1862, son of Benjamin and Janet
(Wallace) Miller, the former a native of the state of New York and the
latter of Scotland, both now deceased, who were the parents of eight chil-
dren, namely: Helen, deceased, who was tlie wife of Frank Chase; Dr.
Benjamin F. Miller, of Flint; William, of Ypsilanti; George, of Plymouth,
this state; Charles H., the subject of this biographical sketch; Reuben, who
died on December 25, 1915, and two who died in early youth.

Benjamin Miller was born in 1822. son of John and Barbara (Stuck)
(23a)

354 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Miller, natives of Pennsyh'ania, who had mo\'ecl to New York state and in
1836 came to AIichi,a^an, locating un a farm in Washtenaw county, where
they spent the rest of their lives. John Miller died when past middle age
and his widow lived to the great age of ninety-six years. They were the
parents of five children, John, George. Catherine, Margaret and Benjamin.
The latter was about fourteen years old when he came to this state with
his parents in i<S36 and he grew to manhood in Washtenaw county, becom-
ing an expert millwright and bridge carpenter, which \-ocation he followed
for some years and then became a farmer. For years he was road com-
missioner and built man}' of the bridges in liis home county. Late in life
he retired from the farm and moved to Yjjsilanti, which town had always
Ijeen his postofifice, and there he died in 1910, at the age of eighty-eight
years. His wife died at the age of seventy-four years. She had come to
this state with her parents from Scotland in pioneer days, the family set-
tling on a farm near the village of Wayne, in Wayne county. Grandfather
Wallace lived to well past middle age. He and his wife were the i)arents of
three children, John, Matthew and Janet.

Charles H. Miller was reared on his father's farm in Washtenaw county
and obtained his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his
home and in the high school at Ypsilanti. When twenty years of age he went
to Mint, where he became engaged as a clerk in the hardware store of George
W. Hubbard, becoming thoroughly familiar with the details of the hardware
business. In 1888 he and Frank Algoe formed a partnership and opened a
hardware store at 520 South Saginaw street and were thus associated in
business for nineteen years, at the end of which time Mr. Miller sold his
interest in the store to his partner and in 1908 opened a new store at 424
South Saginaw street, where he has since been quite successfully engaged in
business. Mr. Miller is one of the best-known hardware men in Michigan
and served one term as president of the State Hardware Dealers .\ssociation,
in the affairs of which organization he has for many years taken ;m active
interest. He is a Democrat and gives a good citizen's attention to local
political aiifairs, but has never been included in the office-seeking class. I'Or
\ears he was a member of the Michigan National Guard, attached to the Mint
Blues, and was captain of that organization during the years 180)0-92. He
has business interests outside his store and is a member of the board of direc-
tors of the Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank of Flint. Mr. Miller and
his wife are members of the Episcopal church, of which he is a vestryman,
and long have been regarded as among the leaders in local good works. Mr.
Miller is a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated with the consi.story. .\ncient

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 355

Accepted Scottish Rite, at Bay City, and is a noble of Elf Khurafeh Temple,
Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Saginaw. He is past
master of Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons, at Flint; a member
of Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; of Genesee Valley
Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, and of Flint Lodge No. 222, Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks, in the affairs of all of whom organizations
he takes a warm interest.

It was in October, 1887, that Charles H. Miller was united in marriage
to Catherine Fellows, who was born at London, Ontario, in August, 1863,
daughter of Charles Fellows and wife, the former a native of England and
the latter of Canada, who later located at Flint, where they spent the
remainder of their lives. Charles Fellows was the founder of the old Weekly
Journal at Flint and was a man of much influence in that city in his day.
He and his wife were the parents of six children, Charles, Jennie, Catherine,
James, William and Harry. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller one child has been born,
a daughter, Blanche, who married Charles L. Lippincott and has two children,
Charles and Harrv.

DARWIN P. SMITH.

Darwin P. Smith, well-known and up-to-date florist at Flint, is a native
son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born in the
town of Warren, in Macomb county, October 17, 1851, son of Carleton and
Jane (Dawson) Smith, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of
Canada, who became pioneers in Michigan and whose last days were spent
in Flint.

Carleton Smith was a son of Nathaniel Smith and wife, natives of Ver-
mont, the former of whom, a grandson of a soldier of the Revolution, was
a soldier in the War of 1812. Nathaniel Smith was a farmer and also kept
an inn on the northern line of New York state. About the close of terri-
torial days, in 1837, he and his family came to Michigan and settled at Troy,
later moving to Otisville, this county, where he and his wife spent their last
days, among the most influential pioneers of that section. They had a con-
siderable family of children, among whom are mentioned William, Vandoris,
Carleton, Henry and Mercy. Carleton Smith was thus among the pioneers
of this section of Michigan. He settled near Otisville, this county, at a point
now called Smith Hill, several of the Smith families having settled there,
and had to cut a road through the forest from Flint to Otisville, a distance

356 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

of several miles. He married Jane Dawson, who was born at Little York,
now a part of the city of Toronto, Ontario, and who was the last-born of the
four children born to her parents, the others having been George, James and
Ellen. Grandfather Dawson was a bookbinder. He and his wife and their
three children emigrated from Scotland to Canada, settling in a suburb of
Toronto, where the daughter, Jane, was born. Later the family came to
Michigan and settled at Royal Oak, where Grandfather Dawson and his
wife spent the rest of their lives. For some years Carleton Smith made his
home on the farm near Otisville, in Forest township, and then moved to
Warren, in Macomb county, but in i860 returned to Genesee county and
settled just west of Flint, where he afterward became the owner of a farm.
For some time he was engaged in the extensive clearing operations of his
brother-in-law, George Dawson. His last years were spent in Flint, where
he died at the advanced age of eighty years. His wife had preceded him to
the grave some years before, she having been sixty-seven years of age at the
time of her death. They were members of the Methodist church and their
children were reared in that faith. There were three of these children, sons
all, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last born, the others being
George D., for years a well-known resident of Cla)^on township, this county,
who is said to have been the first white child born in Forest township, and
Levi R., who was drowned in Long Lake years ago.

Darwin P. Smith was about nine )'ears old when his parents returned
from Warren, the place of his birth, to this county, and he grew to manhood
on the paternal farm in Flint township, receiving his schooling in the district
school in the neighborhood of his home and in the old high school at Flint.
He taught district school one year and then went to Rochester, New York,
where he entered the employ of Elwanger & Barry, nursery proprietors and
florists, and became thoroughly familiar with the details of that business, a
business which he has followed almost continuously ever since. About 1874
Mr. Smith returned to Flint and started a small nursery in the vicinity of
that city, but soon afterward moved into the town and established a green-
house on East street, where he was engaged in business until 1907, in which
year he moved his establishment to what is now 1900 Lapeer street, where
he has one of the most extensive floricultural plants in this part of the
state, his great establishment carrying more than twenty-five thousand square
feet of glass, and there he has built up an extensive business, with a down-
town ofifice at 121 East Kearsley street. Mr. Smith was reared as a Repub-
lican. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
a member of Genesee Lodge No. 24; with the Loyal Guard and with the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 357

Knights of the Maccabees, in all of which organizations he takes a warm
interest.

In October, 1874, Darwin P. Smith was united in marriage to Mary Eva
Chapman, who was ijorn on a farm in Clayton township, this county, Novem-
ber 4, 1854, daughter and only child of Morgan and Adaline (Dart) Chap-
man, both now deceased, the former of whom was a native of the state of
New York and the latter of Connecticut, and to this union two children have
been born, Roy M., associated with his father in business, as foreman of the
greenhouse, who married Pearl Shepard and has two children, Bethany and
Ronald, and Marian, who is a graduate of the college at Ypsilanti and is now
teaching in the Flint schools. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Court
Street Methodist Episcopal church. They have a very pleasant home adjoin-
ing their greenhouses at 1900 Lapeer street.

LESLIE D. GILLETT.

Leslie D. Gillett, one of Flint's best-known young automobile dealers,
is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was
born on a farm in Vienna township, June 10, 1889, son of Isaac and Annetta
(Fields) Gillett, the former a native of New York State and the latter of
Canada, both now living retired at Clio, this county.

Isaac Gillett was but a boy when he came to this county from New York
with his parents, the family settling in Vienna township, where his father
was killed shortly after coming here by a tree falling on him while he was
clearing the land on his farm. The mother died in May, 1916. Grandfather
Gillett and wife were the parents of four children, William, Isaac, Melissa
and Nelson. Isaac Gillett grew to manhood on that pioneer farm and mar-
ried Annetta Fields, a daughter of Ralph and Hanna Fields, who had come to
this county from Canada and settled in Vienna township, where they lived
to old age. Ralph Fields and wife were the parents of seven children, George,
Isaac, Laura, Annetta, Martin, Willetta and Theresa. After his marriage
Isaac Gillett became a farmer on his own account and still owns the farm
on which he made his home until his retirement and removal to Clio, where
he and his wife are now living. They are members of the Methodist church.
For years Isaac Gillett took an active interest in the civic affairs of his com-
munity and held various township oi^ces. To him and his wife five children
were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of

358 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

liirth, the others being Ralph, of CHo; Earl, wlio is attending the Michigan
Agricultural College at Lansing, and Evelyn and Alurray, at home.

Leslie D. Gillett was reared on the paternal farm in Vienna township
and attended the neighboring district school, the high school at Mt. Morris
and the high school at Clio, from which latter he was graduated, after
which he engaged in the automobile business at Clio, his success there embold-
ening him to strike out in a wider held. Early in the spring of 1915 Mr.
Gillett established his present business at Flint and has done very well, his
sales room and garage on North Saginaw street being one of the best-known
establishments of the kind in the city. His specialty in the sales department
is the Overland car, in the distribution of which hereabout he has been very
successful. Mr. Gillett has other interests outside his automobile business
and is vice-president of the Gillett Manufacturing Company, manufacturers
of tables. He is a Republican and during his residence at Clio served as
councilman there one term. He also was a member of the Clio fire depart-
ment. He is a member of the Methodist church, a Mason, member of Vienna
Lodge No. 205, and is a member of the Knights of Birmingham, and of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On August 2, 1916, Leslie D. Gillett married Florence .\. Utley, a
daughter of Daniel Utley, of this county.

ELMER NEHEMIAH PHILLIPS.

Elmer Nehemiah Phillips, well-known proprietor of the popular "Phil's
Cafe," III Kearsley street, Flint, is a native of Illinois, bom at the town
of Auburn, that state, June 27 1876, son of Nehemiah and Eliza J. (Sutton)
Phillips the former a native of Michigan and the latter of the Dominion of
Canada, who were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this
.sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow : David,
deceased; Luella, wife of Herbert LI. Harmon, of Flint; Raphael, of Flush-
ing, this county, and Ida May, of Flint.

Nehemiah Phillips was the eldest of the eight children born to his par-
ents, David and Lucretia (Mead) Phillips, pioneers of this state, whose
other children were Zilpha, Lucetta. Alexander, Phidelus, Orville, Melvina
and Elvington, all of whom are now deceased, sa\e Lucetta. He was care-
fullv reared and early developed such pronounced artistic tendencies that
he was trained in art and became a painter of more than local note. He

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

359

married Eliza Sutton, youngest of the four children of Jacob and Judith
( Meatl ) Sutton, the others being Lucy, Josiah and John, and shortly after
his marriage moved to Carlinville, Illinois, and thence to Girard, in the same
state, where he died in 1879. His widow survived him about eight years,
her death occurring in 1887, at the age of forty years. Nehemiah Phillips
\\as an honored veteran of the Civil War, having served in the armv of
General Grant during the struggle between the states.

Elmer N. Phillips was but three years old when his father died and was
but ele\'en when he was orphaned, indeed, by the death of his mother. His
early boyhood was spent in Auburn, Carlinville and Girard, Illinois, and his
schooling was obtained in the pul^lic schools and in a school for orphans at
Normal, that same state. When fourteen years of age he went to live with
his maternal uncle, J. M. Sutton, at Girard and later at Springfield, Illinois,
in which latter city he worked in a restaurant owned by his uncle and be-
came thoroughly familiar with the details of the restaurant business. In
1898 he came to Michigan and located at Flint, where he has ever since been
actively connectetl with the restaurant business. In 1908 he opened his pres-
ent place of business and has made "Phil's Cafe" one of the most distinctive
eating places in this part of the state, besides which he has attained a fine
reputation as a first-class caterer. Plis place is handsomely appointed and is
noted for the excellence of its service, a material contribution to the latter
being the fresh eggs and choice chickens supplied from the proprietor's own
fine little chicken farm in Mt. Morris township, where he has a very pleas-
ant home and where he makes a specialty of his chickens, Rhode Island Reds
being his favorites. In the summer of 191 5 Mr. Phillips raised thirteen
hundred chickens.

On June 10, 1902, Elmer X. Phillips was united in marriage to Olive
Mav Attridge, who was born in Canada, March 17, 1882. daughter of Rich-
ard and Priscilla (AIcMane) .Attridge, both natives of the Dominion, who
were the parents of four daughters, Elvina, Olive May, Minerva and Ei'za-
beth. Richard Attridge died in Canada and his widow married William
Schnock, to which second union four children were born, Caroline, Grace,
Noble and \^io!a. Richard Attridge was , the son of Michael and Kate
(Ducklow) Attridge, natives of Count}' Cork, Ireland, who emigrated to
Canatla and there engaged in farming. They were the parents of ten chil-
dren, William, James, John, Thomas, Samuel, Edward, Robert. Mary Ann,
Frances and Richard. Mrs. Phillips' maternal grandparents, Charles and
Ellen ( Barr) McINIane, emigrated from Dublin, Ireland, to Canada, where
thev also engaged in farming and where they reared a family of eleven

360 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

children, Jane, Eliza, Sarah, Allan, Ellen, Ann, Charles, Robert, Priscilla,
Fannie and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Episcopal
church and he is a Republican in his political views.

JOHN W. RILEY.

John W. Riley, a well-known and substantial farmer of Clayton town-
ship, this county, and the proprietor of a well-kept farm of something more
than eighty acres on rural route No. 2, out of Swartz Creek, is a native of
the great Em.pire state, but has been a resident of Michigan since he was a
child. He was born in New York state, June 2, 1861, son of John and
Nora (Ryan) Riley, natives of Ireland, who later came to Michigan and
settled in Genesee county, where their last days were spent.

John Riley came from Ireland to the United States with his parents
when a boy and grew up in the state of New York, where he married Nora
Ryan, who was twenty years old when she came to this country from Ire-
land. Some years after their marriage, John Riley and his wife and the
children born to them in New York came to Michigan and located at Grand
Blanc, in this county. Later he bought a farm of forty acres in Mundy
township and established his home there, continuing to live on that place for
twelve years, at the end of which time he sold the "forty" and bought an
"eighty" in that same neighborhood, where he spent the rest of his life. He
was a Democrat and he and his wife were members of the Catholic church,
in the faith of which they reared their children. There were eight of these
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-bom, the others
being as follow: Ella, v/ife of S. Algree; Thomas, a farmer of Clayton
township; Timothy, a farmer of Mundy township; Mate, deceased, who
was the wife of Frank Wadley; Elizabeth, wife of George Irzentrier, of
Gaines township; Nora, wife of Fred Robenger, of Mundy township, and
Edward, a farmer of Mundy township.

John W. Riley was but a child when his parents came to this county
from New York and he was reared on the home farm in Mundy township,
receiving his schooling in the district schools in the neighborhood of his
home. He remained at home, a valued assistant in the work of developing
and improving the home place, until he was twenty-two years old, after
which he began working on his own account. In 1893 he bought the farm
on which he is now living and after his marriage, in the fall of 1895, estab-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 361

lished Ilis home there and has ever since Hved there, he and his wife beino
very pleasantly situated. Mr. Riley is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's
interest in local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office.
It was on October 2, 1895, that John W. Riley was united in marriage
to Mary Gable, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 6,
1868, daughter of Martin and Ann Gable, who came to Michigan and settled
on a farm in Clayton township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Riley are mem-
bers of the Catholic church and take a warm interest in parish aflfairs and
in the general good works of the communitv in which thev live.

FRANK A. BARKER.

Frank A. Barker, a well-known and substantial farmer of Gaines town-
ship, this county, owner of a well-kept farm on rural route No. 2, out of
Swartz Creek, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his
life. He was born on a farm in Wayne county, March 31, 1870, son of
John and Harriet (Bemiss) Barker, both natives of the state of New York,
who came to Michigan in the days of their youth with their respective par-
ents and grew up and were married in Wayne county.

After his marriage John Barker established his home on a farm in
Wayne county and lived there until about 1873, when he moved into Shia-
wassee county and located on an unimproved farm of eighty acres in the
vicinity of Henderson, where he spent the rest of his life, becoming a sub-
stantial farmer and a useful citizen of that community. He and his wife
were the parents of six children, of whom four are still living, those besides
the subject of this sketch being Albert, a farmer in Saginaw county, this
state; Nettie, wife of John Spitler, who lives in Shiawassee county, and
Lester, who owns the old home place in that county.

Frank A. Barker was about three years old when his parents moved
from Wayne county to Shiawassee county and he grew to manhood on the
home farm in the neighborhood of Henderson, receiving his schooling in the
schools of that town, and remained at home until he was twenty-one years
of age, after which he engaged in farming on his own account. He was
married when twenty-three years of age, and continued making his home in
Shiawassee county until 1904, in which year he' moved over into Genesee
county, bought the farm on which he is now living in Gaines township and
there has lived ever since, doing very well in his farming operations. In

362 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

addition to his general farming Mr. Barker has given considerable attention
to the raising of Holstein cattle and has prospered. He is a Republican
and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never
been a seeker after public office. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen
of America and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that order.

It was in June, 1893, that Frank A. Barker was united in marriage to
Lillie Davis and to this union eight children have been born, John. Edith,
Beatrice, Helen, Louis. .Mice. Ernest and Ethel. The Barkers have a verv
pleasant home on their well-kept farm and take a proper interest in the
various social activities of their home communit}-. helpful in the work of
promoting all good causes thereabout.

HON. GEORGE E. HOUGHTON.

Hon. George E. Houghton, former representative in the Legislature
from the first Genesee district, a well-known retired farmer of the Swartz
Creek neighborhood in this county, now living in the village of Swartz
Creek, and for years actively identified with the development of the inter-
ests of the community in which he lives, is a native of the state of Ohio,
l)ut has lived in Michigan since he was a boy. He was born in Mantua town-
ship, Portage county, Ohio, October 8, 1840. son of George E. and Rosina S.
(Thomas) Houghton, natives of Vermont, who came to Michigan in 1855.

The senior George E. Houghton moved from \'ermont to Ohio, where
he married Rosina S. Thomas and where he made his home until 1855, in
which year he came to ]\lichigan and settled on a farm in Gaines township,
this county, where he established his home. In his home county in Ohio
he had been prominent in politics and upon coming to this county took an
equally active part, afliliating with the Republicans upon the formation of
that party and for some time serving as justice of the peace, an office he
also had filled at his old home in Ohio. His wife died here on December 16,
1880. The senior George E. Houghton and wife were the parents of ten
children, six of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch,
the eldest, being as follows: Hiram W., a retired farmer of Clayton town-
ship, this county; Adelia R., wife of Charles M. Miller, of Clayton town-
ship; Fred, of Riverside, California; Thomas E., a farmer of Venice town-
ship, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee, and Otis E., a field man for
the Owosso Sugar-Beet Company.

The junior George E. Houghton was about fifteen years old when he

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 363

came to this state from Ohio with his parents in 1855 and he continued his
schooling here, attending the high school at FHnt, after which he became a
school teacher and for five years taught in the district schools. In 1863 he
returned to his old home in Ohio in 1864, enlisted as a private in Company
E, One Hundred and Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which
command he served until discharged. Upon the completion of his military
services, Mr. Houghton returned to Genesee county and took up farming,
and on March 4, 1875, he married Emma N. Decker, who was bom at Meta-
mora, in the neighborhoring county of Lapeer, April 25, 1853, daughter of
William W. and Eleanor (Johnson) Decker, both of whom were born in
Chili township, Genesee county. New York, and who had come to Michigan
with their respective parents, the two families settling in Oakland county,
where they grew up and were married. Mrs. Decker died at Grand Ledge,
this state, February 6, 1912. Mr. Decker spent his last days in Henry county,
Illinois, his death occurring on January 2^,, 1864. Their daughter Emma
received her schooling at Pontiac and became a teacher, having taught school
for four years at the time of her marriage to Mr. Houghton. After their
marriage Mr. Houghton established his home on a farm in the neighborhood
of Swartz Creek, where they lived, developing a fine property, until their
retirement from the active labors of the farm on March 13, 1912, when
they moved to the village of Swartz Creek, where they built a fine steam-
heated house, into which they moved in September of that year, and where
they since have made their home, being very pleasantly and comfortably
situated. They have five children, Carrie E., George E., Howard M., Dale
B. and Gladys R. Carrie E. Houghton received her schooling in the Swartz
Creek schools and in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti and for some
time taught school. She married Arthur J. Holden, proprietor of a com-
mercial school at Laurium, this state, and is now an instructor in her hus-
band's school. George E. Houghton was graduated from the Swartz Creek
schools, later attended the normal school at Mt. Pleasant and then taught
school for a time. He married Stella M. Root, of Swartz Creek, and is now
living at Detroit, where he is employed as a passenger conductor on the
Grand Trunk railroad. He and his wife had a daughter, Dorothy E., born
on March i, 1907, who died on March 25, 1916. Howard M. Houghton,
who also was graduated from the Swartz Creek schools, married Elizabeth
LaCass, of Clayton township, and is now the owner of a farm in that town-
ship. Dale B. Houghton was graduated from the Swartz Creek schools and
is now a machinist, living in Detroit. He married Dorenza Wendell, of
Muskegon, and has two children, Alene M., born on May 11, 1912, and

364 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Dale B., Jr., June 28, 191 6. Gladys R. Houghton was graduated from the
Schwartz Creek schools and from the county normal and then for six
years was engaged as a school teacher. She married Don H. Carmichael,
of Clayton township.

Mrs. Houghton is a member of the Baptist church at Vernon and a
member of the Order of the Eastern Star, associate matron of the local
chapter of that order. Mr. Houghton is a Democrat and for years has
taken an active part in local political affairs, having served the first Genesee
district in the lower House of the Michigan Legislature and having served
for five years as supervisor of Clayton township.

HERBERT FRUTCHEY.

Herbert Frutchey, manager and one of the proprietors of the elevators
of the Swartz Creek Grain Company at Swartz Creek, this county, and for
years prominently identified with the grain business in this part of the state,
is a native of the great Keystone state but has lived in Michigan since he was
a child. He was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on May 17,
1875, son of A. and Lydia (Ettinger) Frutchey, both of whom were bom
and reared in that state, married there and continued to live there until 1878,
when they came to Michigan with their family and settled in Tuscola county,
later locating at Deford, in that county, where they still live and where A.
Frutchey has for years been actively engaged in the grain, live-stock and gen-
eral mercantile business, head of a string of grain elevators throughout this
part of the state, including the towns of Swartz Creek, Cass City, Kingston,
Decker and Deford, each one of which is individually incorporated under the
laws of the state. The business at Swartz Creek is incorporated mider the
name of the Swartz Creek Grain Company, A. Frutchey, president, and Her-
bert Frutchey, secretary-treasurer. To A. Frutchey and wife three children
have been born, those besides the subject of this sketch being Alice, wife of
Frank Nettleton, and Joseph Frutchey, secretary-treasurer of the Cass City
Grain Company at Cass City.

Herbert Frutchey was about three years old when he came to Michigan
with his parents. He completed the course in the grade schools of Cass City
when seventeen years old and then took a course in a business college, after
which, in 1893, he became associated with his father in the grain business and
has ever since been thus engaged, having been manager of the elevator at

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 365

Swartz Creek and secretary-treasurer of the company operating the same
since 1913. In addition to his extensive grain interests, Mr. Frutchey is
interested quite heavily in the great Alpena Ranch Company, incorporated,
which is operating a ranch of something like five or six thousand acres, most
of which is given over to the raising of live stock. Mr. Frutchey is a Demo-
crat, but has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the lodge of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Bay City and takes a warm
interest in the affairs of that order.

Herbert Frutchey married Elsie Murphy, of Cass City, and to this union
one child has been born, a daughter, Elizabeth L., born in November, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Frutchey have a very pleasant home at Swartz Creek and take
a proper interest in the various social activities of their home town.

ABRAM MELVIN TRUMBLE.

Abram Melvin Trumble, a well-known and well-to-do retired farmer
of Davison township, this county, now living at Davison, where for some
time he has been actively engaged in the buying and selling of live stock,
is a native son of Michigan, and has lived in this state all his life. He was
born on a farm in Hadley township, in the neighboring county of Lapeer,
December 29, 1855, son of Stewart and Deborah E. (Tryon) Trumble, natives
of New York state, the former of whom was killed in battle while serving
as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, and the latter of whom spent
her last days in the village of Goodrich, this county.

Stewart Trumble was but a lad when he came from New York with his
parents, David Trumble and wife, who settled in the vicinity of the village
of Hadley, in Lapeer county, where he grew to manhood and where he
married Deborah Eliza Tryon, who was born at Ransomville, New York,
daughter of Thomas S. and Wealthy (Church) Tryon, who became pio-
neers in Lapeer county, the latter of whom was a member of the extensive
church family, which traces back through John, Simon, Samuel and Edward
Church to Richard Church and through the latter on back to John Church, of
Sussex, England, in 1355. Some time after his marriage Stewart Trumble
moved to Iowa and was living there when the Civil War broke out. He
enlisted as a private in Company I, Fourth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer
Infantry, and served with that command until he met with a soldier's fate
at the battle of Pea Ridge. His widow returned to Michigan with her son.

366 GENESEE COl'NTY, MICHIGAN.

the suljject of this sketch, and married WilHam Cole, of Elba township, and
after the latter "s death on January 31, 1867, married, in 1869, Peter Lang-
land, of Davison, this county, who died in 1871. She survived until January
9, 1889, her death occurring at Goodrich, this county. By her first marriage
she was the mother of one child, a son, the subject of this review; by her
second marriage she was the mother of one child, a daughter, Lucretia Cole,
who married Mark Hoard, and is now living at Leonard, this state, and
bv her last marriage was the mother of two children, both of whom died
in infancy.

Abraham M. Trumble was aI)out three )ears of age when his parents
moved from Hadley to Iowa and after the death of his soldier father, he
returned to this state with his mother and grew to manhood in this county,
starting out for himself as a farmer in Davison township. He completed
his schooling in the high school at Goodrich and presently bought a farm of
one hundred and twenty acres in the southern part of Davison township,
where his mother and his sister, Lucretia, lived with him until 1881, when
they moved to the village of Goodrich, where his mother spent her last days.
For more than twenty years Mr. Trumble has been engaged in the buying
and selling of live stock, making his shipments from the village of Davison,
and in 1904 moved to that village, where he since has made his home and
where he and his wife are very pleasantl\- situated. He continues his live-
stock business and is one of the best-known shippers in the county. Mr.
Trumble is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of the Ancient Order of Gleaners, and of the Loyal Guard, in the
affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

On May 24, 1877, Abram M. Trumble was married to Lillian M. Ball,
who was born in Davison township, this county, daughter of Henry and
Elizabeth (Pettis) Ball, natives of New York, early residents of this county
and for many years prominent in the life of the southeastern part of the
county. Henry Ball was born in Newstead, New York, August 18, i8-'6,
son of John and Sarah (Ayres) Ball, the former of whom homesteaded a
tract of land in the vicinity of Akron, Erie county. New York. He became
a school teacher and about 1848, came to Michigan, settling at Grand Blanc,
for several years teaching in the schools of that vicinity; and in that neigh-
borhood, on January i. 1851, married Elizabeth Pettis, who was born at East
Pembroke, New York, August 21, 1833, daughter of Charles and Rachel
(Tracy) Pettis, who came to Michigan in the latter part of that same year
and settled in Grand Blanc township, this county. .Vfter Henry Ball's mar-
riage he engaged in farming in Davison town,ship, buying a quarter of a

GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 367

section of land on the Irish road, une-half mile north of the line of .\tlas
township, and there spent the rest of his life, adding to his original tract until
he became the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of choice land, beino-
accounted one of the nK)st substantial farmers in that section of the county.
About 1870 he started a cheese factory, which some years later he leased
to a stock compau}- which operated it until it was destroyed by fire. Mr.
Ball took an active part in civic affairs, and for some time served as justice
of the peace in and for his home township. He died in 1877 and his widow
survival until January 7, 1906. They were the parents of eight children, of
whom Mrs. Trumble was the ftjurth in order of birth, the others being as
follows: Charles H., who died in infancy; Ella J., who died in infancy:
Flora E., who married George Taylor and lives at Argentine, this county:
Charles N., deceased: Fred H., deceased: Jennie R., who lives in Davison
township, widow of William H. Howe, and Cora D., wife of James Trollope,
of Goodrich, this count}-. To Mr. and Mrs. Trumble two sons and one
daughter have been born, Oscar Stewart, born on Septeml:>er 30, 1878;
Charles Henry, August 30, 1882, and Myrtle Estelle, February 11, 1881,
who died on May 13, 1884. Oscar S. Trumble early devoted himself to an
educational career, and is now a teacher in the high school at Jackson. On
June 2j, 1905, he married Jessie Blanche Harbison, of Bath, this state, and
has two children, Donald Charles and Melvin Joseph. Charles H. Trumble
early turned his attention to a mercantile career, and was engaged in the drug
business at Brown City until 19 15, since which time he has given his atten-
tion to the manufacturing and automobile business, owner of a large garage
at that place, local agent there for two popular makes of automobiles and a
partner in the Brown City Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of plows,
sleighs and the like. On September 24, 1907, he was married to Minnie E.
Roonev. and has two children, Eleanor Fa\e and Charles Stewart.

ARTHUR G. CARRIER.

Arthur G. Carrier, postmaster of Duffield, this county, and a well-
known and progressive merchant of that village, is a native of Genesee
county and has li\'ed here all his life. He was born on a farm in Gaines
township, July 26, 1869, son of Lyman and Maria (Warner) Carrier, the
former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Vermont, who
came to ?^lichigan with their respective parents in the days of their youth
and grew up in Genesee county, where they married and afterward estab-

368 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

lished tlieir home on a farm in section 7 of Gaines township, where they
spent 'the remainder of their hves. Lyman Carrier was a substantial farmer
and a useful citizen. He and his wife were were the parents of five children,
of whom four are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being
as follow : Adelbert, a farmer in Clayton township, this county ; Fred, a resi-
dent of San Francisco, California, and Lyman, who was graduated from
the Michigan Agricultural College and is now employed in the office of the
agricultural department at Washington, D. C.

Arthur G. Carrier was reared on the home farm in Gaines township,
receiving his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood, and remained
on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, a valued assistant in the
labor of developing and improving the same. When of age he started out
on his own account, but after his marriage in 1901 established his home on
the old home place and there remained for twelve years, the active manager
of the farm. He then bought a stock of merchandise in the village of
Duffield and has ever since been engaged in business there, having built up a
large trade throughout that part of the county. Mr. Carrier is a Repub-
lican and has served his township in the capacity of treasurer and as high-
way commissioner. In 191 2 he was appointed postmaster of Duffield and is
still serving in that important public capacity, conducting the postoffice in his
store.

It was in 1901 that Arthur G. Carrier was united in marriage to Ora
Barker, who was reared at B3'ron, and who died on February 24, 1916.
Mr. Carrier is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was
his wife, and he has long been a member of the board of trustees of the
same, taking an earnest interest in church work and in the general good
works of the community. He is a Royal Arch Mason and takes a warm
interest in Masonic affairs.

HARRY C. PIER SON.

Harry C. Pierson, one of the best-known and most progressive farmers
of Clayton township, this county, and the proprietor of "Plain View Stock
Farm," a well-kept place of one hundred and fifty-one acres in section 2 of
that township, situated one mile east and one mile south of Flushing, is a
native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was bom
on a pioneer farm in Mt. Morris township on December 11, 1877, the son of

-/^6m^^ /,AJtAA^cry<:>

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 369

James L. and Sophia (C>ocker) Pierson. The father was born on that
same farm and in the same house, December 19, 1846, the son of William
Pierson, one of the best known among the early settlers in that part of Gen-
esee county. The mother died in January, 1878, when her son, the subject
of this .sketch, was three weeks of age. James L. Pierson married again,
about four years later, and continued to make his home in this county, a
substantial resident of the JVIt. Morris neighborhood, the rest of his life, his
death occurring on December 19, 1886.

As noted above, Harry C. Pierson was but an infant when his mother
died and he was cared for during his early childhood by his aunts, resum-
ing his place in the household of his father after the latter's second mar-
riage. He received his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood
of his home, in the high school at Flint and in tlie normal college, continuing
working as a farmer during school vacations. About the time of his mar-
riage, in the fall of 1899, he then being not quite twenty-two years of age,
he bought the farm on which lie is now living and where he has lived ever
since, he and his wife lieing ^-ery pleasantly situated there. Mr. Pierson is
a progressive farmer, carrying on his farming operations in accordance with
modern methods, and has done ^•ery well. He is a Republican, taking an
active interest in local political affairs, but is not an office holder.

On October 11, 1899, Harry C. Pierson was united in marriage to
Florence A. Hussey, who was born in New York state and who came to
Michigan with her tmcle when she was thirteen years old. They located in
this county and her schooling was completed in Genesee and Flint. Mr. and
Mrs. Pierson are attendants at the Baptist church, contributing to the sup-
port of the same, and take a warm interest in all neighborhood good works
and in the general social acti\ities of the community in which they live.

SETH W. HOWES.

Seth W. Howes, president of the Lennon Creamery Company at Lennon
and one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of Clayton township,
this county, proprietor of "Lindenvvood Farm," a well-kept and profitably
cultivated place of ninety-five acres in section 28, situated on the Lennon
road, rural route No. 2, out of Swartz Creek, is a native son of Genesee'
county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Gaines
(24a)

370 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

township, March 22, 1854, son of Henry D. and Harriet M. (Wheeler)
Howes, the former a native of the state of Vermont and the latter of the
state of New York, who were married in this county and spent their last
days here, honored and influential residents of the community in which
they lived for many years.

Henry D. Howes was born in Vermont on June 20, 1827, and when
a young man came to Michigan, settling in Genesee county, where, on August
4, 1850, he married Harriet M. Wheeler, who was born in New York state
on November 21, 1832, and who had come to this county with her parents
in the days of her youth. After his marriage Henry D. Howes located on
a tract in Gaines township, established his home there and proceeded to clear
and develop the place, in time becoming one of the most substantial farmers
in that section. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted for service
in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry and served for three years, being mustered
out as a corporal. Upon the completion of his military service he returned
to the farm and lived there until 1872, when he moved to the farm in
Clayton township on which his son, the subject of this sketch, now lives,
and there he and his wife spent their last days, both dying on the same day,
December 26, 191 5, and were buried in the same grave. They were the
parents of seven children, six of whom are still living, those besides the sub-
iect of this sketch being as follow: David, a resident of the state of Wash-
ington; Wheeler, a resident of Fhnt, this county; Charles, a resident of
Nebraska; Zaide, who married G. V. Pixley, of Richmond, this state, and
Mollie, who married O. C. Swayze, of Holly, this state.

Seth W. Howes was reared on the home farm, receiving his schooling
in the district school in the neighborhood of the same and in the high school
at Flint. Being the eldest son he w-as from the days of his boyhood a valued
assistant to his father in the labor of developing and improving the home
'jlace and when the family moved to the new home in Clayton township
in 1872, he then being eighteen years of age, he continued working with
his father and in time relieved the latter from the active labors of the farm,
becoming virtual manager of the same, and helped to bring pretty "Linden-
wood Farm" up to a high state of cultivation. Upon his marriage in 1886 he
established his home there and has ever since continued to make that place
his place of residence, he and his family being very pleasantly situated. Of
recent years he has associated with himself in the management of the farm
his younger son, Frank Howes, as a partner, the affairs of "Lindenwood
Farm" being conducted under the firm name of Seth W. Howes & Son. In
addition to their general farming. Howes & Son give considerable attention

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 37I

to the raising of pure-bred Jersey cattle and their dairy interests have pros-
pered largely. Mr. Howes for years has given close attention to the develop-
ment of the dairy interests of his community and is president of the Lennon
Creamery Company, a very successful concern, in which he is a stockholder.
Mr. Howes also has given considerable attention to local political affairs
and has served the public as clerk of his township and as justice of the peace.
It was in 1886 that Seth W. Howes was united in marriage to Sarah
A. Sutton, of Clayton township, and to this union two sons have been born,
Harry, who married Matilda Knight and is a progressive young farmer in
Clayton township, and Frank, who is associated with his father in the opera-
tion of the home farm. Both Mr. Howes and his sons are members of the
lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Lennon and of the Ancient
Order of Gleaners and Mr. Howes is a member of the order of the Knights
of the Maccabees, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a
warm interest.

HON. BERT F. CRAPSER.

Hon. Bert F. Crapser, a well-known and substantial fanner of Clayton
township, this county, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres
on rural route No. 2, out of Swartz Creek, former representative in the
Legislature from the first Genesee district and for years actively identified
with the work of developing the best interests of the community in which he
lives, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life, a con-
tinuous resident on the farm on which he now lives and where he was born
on February 11, 1874, son of Charles and Lucretia (Kellecutt) Crapser,
both natives of this state, the former of whom is still living on the farm in
Clayton township, where he has made his home for more than half a century.

Charles Crapser was born on a pioneer farm in the Groveland section
of the neighboring county of Oakland on February 13, 1837, son of Albert
Crapser and wife, who had come to this state in territorial days from the
Cattskill region of New York, locating in Oakland county, whence, in 1839,
they came over into Genesee county and settled on a pioneer farm in Burton
township, where they spent the rest of their lives, useful and influential
pioneers of that part of the county. Albert Crapser and wife were the par-
ents of five children, Charles, Catherine, Amos, John and Laura, of whom
Charles, John and Catherine are still living. Charles Crapser was about two
years old when his parents came to Genesee county in 1839 and he ever since

372 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

has lived here, thus being one of the oldest continuous residents of Genesee
county. He grew to manhood on the homestead farm in Burton township
and married Lucretia Kellecutt, a member of one of the pioneer families of
this county, and in 1864 moved onto the farm on which he now lives and
where he ever since has lived, for many years having been regarded as one
of the leading members of that community. His wife died on April 23,
1887. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are still liv-
ing, the subject of this .sketch have two sisters, Zoa, wife of B'red E. Sutton,
of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Maud, wife of Edwin Da\is. a well-known
resident of Clayton township, this county.

Bert F. Crapser was reared on the old Crapser homestead farm in Clay-
ton township, receiving his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood,
and from the days of his boyhood was a valuable assistant in the work of
developing and improving the same. After his marriage he continued to
make his home there and has continued there to this day, for years past liav-
ing relieved his father of the active management of the place. He is ver\'
successfully farming one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, in addi-
tion to his general farming giving considerable attention to the raising of
high-grade live stock, and has done very well. Mr. Crapser has for years
given close attention to local political affairs, having served the public in
various local offices, and in 1912, as the nominee of the National Progressive
party, was elected representative from the first Genesee district to the lower
House of the Michigan General Assembly, by a vote of 1,513 to 1,451 for
Ransom L. Ford, 1,432 for Norman A. Morrish, 68 for Herbert F. Bodine
and I for E. T. Middleton, serving in the session of 1913. Dtu-ing his
service in the House Mr. Crapser was a member of a number of important
committees and was chairman of the committee on village corporations.

Mr. Crapser has been twice married. In February, 1908, he was united
in marriage to Rebie Luther, of Swartz Creek, and to that union two chil-
dren were born, daughters both, Mildred and Dorothy. On December 15.
1914, Mr. Crapser married Bernice Morrish, a member of Genesee county's
excellent corps of public school teachers, who was born on a farm in Clay-
ton township, this county, daughter of Hiram and Maria (Hurd) Morrish.
Mr. Crapser is senior deacon of Swartz Creek Lodge No. 458, Free and
Accepted Masons, of which lodge he has been secretary for three years, and
both he and his wife are members of the local chapter of the Order of the
Eastern Star, of which chapter Mrs. Crapser, who was one of the organizers
of the same, is now the worthy matron. Mr. and Mrs. Crapser have a very
pleasant home and take an earnest interest in the general social activities

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 373

of their home community, helpful in the work of promoting all proper
agencies for the advancement of the best interests of the community in which
they have lived all their lives and to the general welfare of which thev are
so warmly devoted.

FR.\NK P. \VILDMAN.

Frank P. Wildman, cashier of the Bank of Swartz Creek at Swartz
Creek, this county, and for some years connected \yith banking and other
business interests at Flint, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, but has
lived in Michigan since he was a child. He was bom at Lonsdale. Ontario,
January 29, 1873, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Chilson) Wildman, natives
of Canada, who came to IMichigan in 1875 and located at Flint, where tliey
spent the rest of their lives.

Richard Wildman was born on April 18, 1823, and became one of the
leading and most influential citizens of Lonsdale. He married Elizabeth
Chilson, also a native of Canada, who was born on .\pril 29, 1834, and for
many years continued in the general merchandise business at Lonsdale, thirty-
two years of which time he served as postmaster of the town. He and his
wife were earnest members of the Methodist church, liberal contributors to
the same, and aided in the erection of two churches. In 1875 Richard Wild-
man retired from business at Lonsdale and with his family came over into
Micliigan, locating at Flint, where he and his wife spent the remainder of
their lives, useful and influential residents of that city. Mrs. Wildman died
in 1892 and Mr. Wildman survived until 1902. They were the parents of
five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others
being as follow : William H., born on July 22, 1853, now living in the West,
the proprietor of extensive mining and agricultural interests in Montana and
Idaho; Phoebe .\.. who is widely known as a teacher and educator; George
L.. a well known and sul>stantial farmer of Burton township, this county,
and A. R., a merchant, owner of a fine confectionery store at Traverse City.

Frank P. Wildman was but a child when his parents located at Flint in
1875 and he grew to manhood in that city, supplementing the course in the
public schools by a thorough course in the Flint Business College, from which
he was graduated. He then turned his attention to commercial pursuits and
for six years was employed in 'the cloak and carpet department of the store
of Pierce Brothers & Company at Flint, after which he entered the service
of the Citizens Commercial and Sa\-ings Bank as collector, rising in the

374 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

service of the bank until he became paying teller, a position he held until
19 1 2, in which year he engaged in the manufacture of brooms and was thus
engaged until 191 5, when he became cashier of the Bank of Swartz Creek,
the position he now occupies. In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Wild-
man has valuable real-estate interests in Flint and is recognized as one of the
substantial citizens of Genesee county. He is a Democrat, but has never
taken a particularly active part in political affairs.

In 1897 Frank P. Wildman was united in marriage to Marian Barney,
of Flint, daughters of M. C. Barney, now a resident of Detroit. They have
a son, Charles Wildman, born in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Wildman are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church at Swartz Creek and take an active
part in the various beneficences of the same, Mr. Wildman being a member
of the official board of the church. Mr. Wildman is a thirty-second degree
Mason, affiliated with Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons;
with Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; with the Michigan
Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and is a noble of Moslem
Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also is
a member of Ivanhoe Lodge No. 27, Knights of Pythias, and is past chan-
cellor of that lodge. j\Ir. Wildman has taken an active interest in Masonic
affairs and is a past master of his lodge and a member of the grand lodge
of Michigan, Free and Accepted Masons.

CHARLES M. STAFFORD.

Charles M. Stafford, who is engaged in the automobile repair business
at Flint, was born in Montrose township, this county, on July 25, 1867, the
son of Calvin and Eliza (Cook) Stafford, the former a native of Ohio and
the latter of Michigan, both now deceased, who were the parents of the fol-
lowing children: Nellie, deceased, who was the wife of Lorenzo A. Lousby;
Charles M., of Flint; Lizzie, wife of Charles Blackstone of Clio; Elnora.
wife of Charles Watson, of Pains Station; Edith, wife of Fred Guyett, of
Chicago, Illinois; Walter A., of Frankenmouth Junction, Michigan; Robert
L., of Clio; Mabel, wife of William Falkenhagen of Vienna township;
Arthur, of Flushing township; Ernest, of near Saginaw; Elmer, who died
at the age of six years, and a twin of Elmer, who died at the age of six
weeks.

Calvin Stafford lived in Ohio until ten years of age when he came with

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 375

his parents to this county, the family settling on a farm in Thetford town-
ship, where he grew to manhood. He served for three years in the Civil
War, a member of Company K, Twenty-third Regiment, Michigan Volun-
teer Infantry, and at the close of the war bought a farm of one hundred and
seventy-two acres in Montrose township, this county. He later sold eighty
acres of that farm and purchased forty acres in Vienna township and three
hundred and thirty-five acres in Bridgeport township, in the neighboring
county of Saginaw. \Vith the exception of five years, during which he
lived in Bridgeport township, he made his home in Vienna township until
he removed to Clio, seven years before his death, in 1907. Mrs. Stafford
died in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford were not members of any church, but
attended the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Stafford was a justice of
the peace for eight years.

The paternal grandparents of Charles M. Stafford were Sanford and
Nancy (Tinkham) Stafford, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They set-
tled in Thetford township, this county, and owned the same farm from 1853
until their death, Sanford living to the age of eighty-six and his wife to the
age of eighty-five. They were the parents of seven children, Calvin. Irving,'
John, Hattie, Dettie, Vesta and Susie. The maternal grandparents were
Lilly and Prudence (Butts) Cook, botli natives of the state of New York,
he being of English descent and she of German. On coming to Michigan
they settled in Bridgeport township, Saginaw county, when Saginaw had but
four log huts. There he entered the farm from the government on which
he later died at the age of eighty-three years. His widow then went to live
with her daughter, Mary Lathimer, in Birch Run township, and there she
died three years later. They were the parents of six children, William,
Abraham, Ruth, Adeline, Eliza and Mary.

Charles M. Stafford was raised on his father's farm in Montrose town-
ship and attended the district schools. After leaving school he continued to
farm and live at home until he was twenty-three years of age. He then
purchased a farm of seventy acres one-half mile from the home of his father
and there he farmed until IQ08 when he sold the place and moved to Flint,
where he engaged in teaming for a time, after which he engaged in the auto-
mobile repair business.

Charles M. Staft'ord was united in marriage on October 18, 1890, to
Minnie French, the daughter of James B. and C^aithia (Bennet) French.
She was born in Vienna township where she grew to womanhood and
attended school. Her father was a native of New York state while the
mother was born in Igham county. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford are the parents

3?6

GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

of two children, Elmer A., who works in tlie Buick automobile factory, and
Helen M., who is in school. The paternal grandparents of Minnie (French)
.Stafford were natives of the state of New York, where they lived and farmed.
Thev were the parents of five children, Amos, James, Peter, Jane and ]\Iaria.
Her paternal grandparents were Norman Bennett and wife who were the
parents of the eight children, Allen, Cynthia, Agnes, Emma, Lodenia. Flor-
ence, Alice and Maud.

Tn 1916 Charles M. Stafford married Mrs. Ula AI. Grosephend, the
widow of William Grosephend and the daughter of Samuel and Susanna
fStreeter) Dunning, who, by her her first marriage is the mother of six
children, Nora, Lulu, Eugene, Hazel, Susanna and Lizzie. Ida M. ( Dunn-
ing) Stafford was born in Montrose township in 1867. Her parents were
early settlers in the county. The mother is still living, but the father died
some years ago. Mrs. Stafford has one sister, Kate, and two brothers.
Eugene and James.

Charles M. Stafford has always Ijeen an industrious and hard-working
man, the greater part of his life having been spent on the farm. He is a
member of two of the old families who were prominent in the early life of
the countv.

FRED TODD.

l'>ed Todd, a well-known and substantial farmer of Clayton township,
this countv, former supervisor of that township, and the proprietor of a fine
farm on rural route No. 5, out of Flint, is a native son of Genesee county.
He was born on a farm in the township in which he now lives, March 29,
1879, son of George M. and Elizabeth (Morrish) Todd, the former a native
of New York state and the latter of England, who had come to this county
during the days of their youth with their respective parents.

George M. Todd grew to manhood in Clayton township and there mar-
ried Elizabeth Morrish, who had come to the United States when seven
years old with her parents, the family coming to Michigan and settling in
Clayton township, this county, where she grew to womanhood. After his
marriage George M. Todd settled on a farm in Clayton township and there
he spent practically all the rest of his life, a substantial and influential mem-
ber of that community. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge
at Flushing and was otherwise active in the general affairs of his home
neighborhood. He «lied in igo8 and his widow is still living. They were

GKNESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 377

the parents of ten children, five of whom are stiH Hving, those besides the
subject of this sketch being- as follow: Anna, wife of L. N. Badger, of
Flint; Burt, who married I'.stella Stranahan and lives in Clayton township;
Dell, who married Liltliie Harding and lives in that same township, and
Myrtle, unmarried, who is at home with her mother.

Fred Todd was reared on the home farm in Clayton township, receiving
his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, and was
a valuable aid in the \\ork of developing, and improving the home place,
where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. After his mar-
riage in 1910 he located on the farm on which he is now living and there
he and his family are very comfortably and vtvy pleasantly situated. In
addition to his general farming, Mr. Todd raises a good grade of live stock
imd is doing very well. He is a Democrat and for years has been active
in local political affairs, ha\'ing ser\-ed for three }ears as township clerk and
for four years as super\isor. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight
Templar, a member of the "blue" lodge at Flushing and of the chapter and
the commandery at Flint, taking a warm interest in Masonic affairs.

On December 14, 1910, Fred Todd was united in marriage to Millie
Cronk, who was born on a farm in Flushing township, this county. July 5,
1879, daughter of George Cronk and wife, prominent residents of that com-
munity. To this union three children have been born, George E., born on
August 2, 1912; Walter C, April 5, 1914, and Frederick J., June 19, 1916.
Mrs. Todd is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred acres in Flushing
to\\nship. The Todds have a pleasant home and take a proper interest in
the general social acti\-ities of the communitv in which thev live.

ERNEST W. DIECK.

Ernest \V. Dieck, Aice-president of the Lennon Commercial Bank and
one of the best-known and most substantial farmers and stockmen of Clay-
ton township, this county, proprietor of "Maple Lawn Stock Farm," a well-
kept and profitably cultivated place of two hundred acres in section 28 of
that township, two and one-half miles southeast of Lennon on rural route
No. 2, out of Swartz Creek, is a native of Germany, but has been a resident
of this county ever since he was three years old. He was born on March
I, ]870, son of Frederick and Louise (Ketzler) Dieck, natives of Germany,

378 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

who, with their six children, came to the United States in 1873 and pro-
ceeded directly to Alichigan, settling at Flint.

Frederick Dieck was a poor man when he came to Michigan and for
some time after coming here he worked at various forms of employment at
Flint, until he presently got a start sufficient to enable him to buy a farm of
eighty acres in section 29 of Clayton township, where he established his
home aiid where he spent the rest of his life, l:)ecoming one of the substantial
residents of that communit}-. He and his wife were members of the Ger-
man Evangelical church and their children were reared in that faith. There
were six of these children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch
was the last-born, the others being as follow : August, a well-to-do farmer
in the neighboring county of Shiawassee; Amelia, wife of Gustav Shuman,
a farmer, of Clayton township, this county; Bertha, wife of George Clayton,
also of Clayton township; Matilda, \vidow of Fred Ganssley, and Lizzie,
widow of Fred Rittershofer, of Flushing.

Ernest Dieck was about three years of age when he came to this country
from Germany with his parents in 1873 and he grew to manhood on the
home farm in Clayton township, quitting. school at the age of seventeen to
begin farming on his own account and by the time of his marriage, when
twenty-three years of age, had gained a substantial start on the way to his
present success. After his marriage he established his home on the place
adjoining that on which he is now living and to which he has added until he
now is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres, where he and his
family are very well situated, "Maple Lawn Stock Farm" long having been
recognized as one of the model farms in that part of the county. He also
owns forty acres in the adjoining county. In addition to his general farm-
ing, Mr. Dieck has given much attention to the raising of high-grade live
stock, particularly Aberdeen cattle, and has done very well in that line. He
also has given considerable attention to the general business interests of the
community in which he lives and since the reorganization of the Lennon
Commercial Bank in 1913 has been the vice-president of that growing finan-
cial institution. Mr. Dieck is a Republican and gives a good citizen's atten-
tion to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office.
He is a member of the Swartz Creek lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons
and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.

It was in 1893 that Ernest Dieck was united in marriage to Amelia
Saltzman, who also was born in Germany and who was six years of age
when her parents came to this country and settled in ■\^^isconsin, and to this
union six children have been born, Ulvsess, who was graduated from the

GF.NFSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 379

Lennon schools; Enola, who also was graduated from the Lennon schools
and who married Frank Moore, and Ethel, Hazel, Bertha and Frederick.
The Diecks have a very pleasant home at "Maple Lawn Stock Farm" and
take a proper interest in the various social activities of the community in
which they live, useful contributors to all proper causes thereabout. Mrs.
Dieck and the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

WILBERT L. MILLER.

Wilbert L. Miller, assistant cashier of bank at Swartz Creek, this county,
for years a merchant at that place, eighteen years of which time he also
served as postmaster, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here
all his life. He was born on a farm in Clayton township, in the immediate
vicinity of Swartz Creek, in May, 1854, son of Enos M. and Martha J.
(Chapman) Miller, the latter of whom passed away in November, 1905,
and the former of whom is still living there, for many )^ears a prominent
and useful member of that community.

Enos M. Miller was born near Mt. Morris, New York, October 25,
1822, son of Adam and Margaret Miller, who came to the Territory of
Michigan in 1836 with their family and settled in Clayton township, this
county, where they established their home in the wilderness and where they
spent their last days, Adam Miller dying not many years after coming out
here. His widow kept the family together and in time the homestead farm
was cleared and developed. She was one of the most vigorous of the pioneer
women of this section and was one of the founders of the Methodist Epis-
copal church at Swartz Creek. For years, or until the coming of physicians
to this section, she practiced midwifery hereabout and her services in that
connection were in wide demand throughout the neighborhood in which she
lived. Adam and Margaret Miller were the parents of thirteen children, of
whom Enos M. Miller is now the only survivor. Adam Miller homesteaded
a tract of one hundred and sixty acres upon coming to this state and several
others of the Miller family settling there about the same time, that vicinity
became known as the Miller settlement and was long known as such.

As noted above, Enos M. Miller was a well-grown lad when he came
out into the wilds of Michigan with his parents. Shortly after they had
located here they sent him back to his old home in New York to complete
his schooling and upon finishing the course there he returned to Michigan

380 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

and grew to manhood on the homestead farm, becoming a farmer on his
own account after awhile, the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres in Clayton township, where he made his home and reared his family
and which he still owns, but is now living in the village of Swartz Creek at
a ripe old age. His wife, Martha J. Chapman, also was one of the early
settlers in that part of the count)- and the two for many years were active
in the work of developing the general social activities of that communitv,
earnest workers in church work and in all neighborhood good works. At
present Enos M. Aliller is affiliated with the Church of Christ (Scientist),
in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest. He has ever taken an active
interest in the local ix)litical affairs of his community and for years was post-
master of Swartz Creek, the postoffice being established in his residence. To
him and his wife seven children were born, of whom five are still living,
namely: Clarence J., who for years was engaged in the grain business at
Swartz Creek and is now president of the bank at that place; Wilbert L.,
the subject of this biographical sketch: A. T., who is engaged in the real-
estate business at Flint: John A., a farmer in Clayton township, and C. E.,
for years agent for the Grand Trunk Railroad, now a resident of Flint.

Wilbert L. Miller was reared on the paternal farm in Clayton township,
receiving his elementary schooling in the district schools of that neighbor-
hood and supplementing the same by a course in the schools at Saginaw and
Flint. In 1876 he engaged in the general mercantile business at Swartz
Creek and after his marriage in 1878 established his home there. In 1882
he changed his line of mercantile activities and engaged in the hardware
iiusiness, continuing in that line until 1904, when he sold out and has since
been engaged in the lianking business, in connection with his elder brother,
being now the assistant cashier of the bank of Swartz Creek, of which his
lirother is the president. Mr. Miller has for years taken an active part in
local political affairs. On August 28, 1897, he was appointed postmaster
of Swartz Creek and served in that capacity until July i, 191 5. He also
has served as clerk and treasurer of Gaines township. He is a member of
the Masonic lodge and of the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
at Swartz Creek, past noble grand of the lodge of the latter order, while
l)oth he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, of the
local chapter of which he is worthy patron, and of the Daughters of Rebekah,
in the affairs of both of which organizations they take a warm interest.

It was in 1878 that Wilbert L. Miller was united in marriage to Alice
Ingalls, who was born and reared in this county, daughter of Benjamin and
Betsv Ingalls, and to this union three children have been born, Laverne O.,

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 381

now connected with the Cadillac State Bank at Cadillac, this state; Cassie
F., who married William W. Blackney, of Flint, and Ford B., a merchant,
connected with the firm of H. B. Freeman & Company at Swartz Creek.

ROBERT CARMICHAEL.

Robert Carmichael, a well-known and substantial farmer and stockbuyer
of Clayton township, this county, doing an extensive business in live stock,
under the name of Carmichael Brothers, and proprietor of a fine farm in
section 15 of Clayton township, on which he makes his home, is a native son
of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm
in Flint township on January i, 1872, son of Alexander and Catherine
(McNaughton) Carmichael, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of
Canada, who came to Michigan in 1865 and spent their last davs in this
Cfiunty.

Alexander Carmichael was but a child when his parents emigrated from
Scotland to Canada and he grew to manhood in the Dominion. There he
married Catherine McNaughton, who was born in the town of London,
Ontario, and for some years thereafter made his home in that city, or until
the .spring of 1865, when he moved with his family to Michigan and settled
in Genesee county. It was on April 19, 1865, that Alexander Carmichael
and his family arrived in this county and he lost little time in getting located
on a farni in Clayton township, where he established his home. Starting
with one hundred and sixtj' acres in section 5 of Clayton township, he gradu-
ally increased his land holdings, as he prospered in his operations, until he
became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine land and was
accounted one of the most substantial citizens of that part of the county.
He and his wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian church and their
children were reared in that faith. There were eleven of these children, of
whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others being as fol-
low : ]\Iary, widow of George Burleson and the owner of much valuable real
estate in Flint; Nancy, wife of James Ottaway, of Detroit; Rev. John Car-
michael. D. D., now deceased, who was a minister of high standing in the
Presbyterian church in Canada; Elizabeth, deceased; Malcolm W., a well-
known farmer of Clayton township, this county; Albert and Edmund, who
are engaged in the li\'e stock business at Swartz Creek, this county ; Lawrence,
a college graduate, who held a life certificate as a teacher in the West; Mina,
wife of Bert Harris, of Swartz Creek, and Maude, deceased.

382 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Robert Carmichael was reared on the home farm in Clayton township
and received his schooHng in the district school in the neighborhood of his
liome, supplementing the same by a course in the high school at Flint, in
the meantime continuing his labors on the home farm and has always been
a farmer, though laterly his chief attention has been given to the live-stock
line, he and his brothers at Swartz Creek, under the firm name of Carmichael
Brothers, doing a large business in that line as shippers, besides which they
give much attention to the breeding of high-grade Herefords on their broad
acres in Clayton township. Mr. Carmichael is a Republican, but has never
been an aspirant for public office.

On December 31, 1912, Robert Carmichael was united in marriage to
Grace Brooks, who also was born in this county, and to this union one child
has been born, a son, Alexander B., born on October 28, 1914. Mr. and Mrs.
Carmichael are members of the Presbyterian church and take an earnest
interest in the general beneficences of the same, as well as in all the local
good works, and likewise take a proper interest in the general social acti\i-
ties of their home community.

WILLIAM BROOKS.

William Brooks, justice of the peace in and for Argentine township
this county, an honored veteran of the Civil War and one of the best-known
farmers of that township, proprietor of "Maple Grove Farm,'" a well-kept
place of eighty acres in section 11, four and one-half miles northwest of
Linden on rural route No. 2, out of Gaines, is a native son of Genesee county
and has lived here all his Hfe. He was born on a pioneer farm in Argentine
township, November 7, 1841, son of David and Abigail (Shippy) Brooks,
both natives of the state of New York, who were married in Oakland county,
this state, later coming to Genesee county, where their last days were spent.

David Brooks was born in Genesee coimty, New York, in 1808. His
father, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, was killed in the battle of
Queenstown Heights. When a young man David Brooks came from New
York to Michigan and settled in Oakland county, where he married Abigail
Shippy, who also had been bom in the state of New York and had come
to Michigan with her parents, the family settling in Oakland county. After
hi.s marriage David Brooks established his home on a farm in Oakland
countv, l>ut in 1837 sold that farm and moved over into Genesee count}-,

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 383

entering a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in section 1 1 of Argentine
township, the farm on which his son, WilHam Brooks, the subject of this
sketch now lives, and there he estabHshed his pemianent home in the forest
wilderness, the second settler in that township, the only other settler there
at that time having been James Murray. David Brooks cleared and improved
that farm and there he spent the rest of his life, living to the age of seventy-
two years, his death occurring in November, 1880. He was a Democrat
and ever took an acti\-e and influential part in the political affairs of the
county. Three of his sons, James, Edward and William Brooks, served as
soldiers of the Union army during the Civil War and Edward Brooks was
killed at the battle of Coosa River, South Carolina, January i, 1862.

W^illiam Brooks grcAV to manhood on the old homestead farm in Argen-
tine township and remained there, a valuable assistant in the labors of develop-
ing and improving the same, until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted for
the term of one year, or during the continuance of the Civil War, and served
with his conimand until it was mustered out eight months later. Upon the
conclusion of his military service, Mr. Brooks returned to the home farm
and has ever since lived there, thus having been a continuous resident of
the one place all his life. He established his home there after his marriage
in 1874 and he and his wife are thus included among the oldest continuous
residents of that community. They have a very pleasant home and for
many years have been looked on as among the leaders in the general life of
their neighborhood. Mr. Brooks is a Democrat and has ever taken a warm
interest in local political affairs, at present and for years past serving as
justice of the peace in and for Argentine township.

It was on July 3, 1874, that William Brooks was united in marriage
to Alice Chase, who was born in that same neighborhood, daughter of one
■of the first families that settled thereabout, and to this union four children
have been born, namely: William, who was a soldier in the United States
regular army during the Spanish-American War and who was killed at the
battle of El Caney, Cuba, July i, 1898; Myrtle, who was graduated from
the high school at Linden, married Arthur Wright and has four children;
Mina, a graduate of the same school, who married Allie Baird, and Grace,
who also was graduated from the Linden high school, and who married R.
S. Carmichael, of Cla}i:on township. Mr. Brooks is a member of the lodge
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Linden and is a past noble
grand of the same, for many years having taken a warm interest in the
affairs of the lodge.

384 GEXESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

GEORGE FROST PUTNAM.

George Frost Putnam, well-known dealer in automobiles at Goodrich,
this county, and the owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres in the vic-
inity of that flourishing village, is a native son of Genesee county and has
lived here the better part of his life. He was torn at Goodrich, April 6,
1871, son of William Henry and Rhoda A. (Frost) Putnam, both bom in
that same vicinity, members of old and prominent pioneer families there-
about and both of whom spent their last days at Goodrich.

William Henry Putnam was born in Groveland township, in the neigh-
boring county of Oakland, June 21, 1840, son of William Henry and Mary
Jane ( Sawyer) Putnam, the former a native of the state of New York and
the latter of Massachusetts, who settled at Goodrich about 1850 and at once
became leaders in the community life of that part of the county. The Put-
nam family in this county is of the same stock as that from which Gen.
Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, sprang and members of that large
and notable family have achieved distinction in various walks of life and in
various parts of this country. The founder of the family in America was
John Putnam, who settled in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1634. John Putnam
had three sons, Thomas, Nathaniel and John. Gen. Israel Putnam was the
great-grandson of Thomas, the eldest of these sons, and the Putnam family
in this county is descended from John, the youngest of the three sons, who
had a son John, whose .son, Caleb, was the father of Moses Putnam, father
of Peter and others. Peter vras the father of Caleb and others, this last-
named Caleb being the father of V/illiam Henry Putnam, father of William
Henry Putnam, Jr., father of the subject of this sketch. This last-named
Caleb Putnam was born in 1766 and his son, William H. Putnam, Sr., was
born at Rome, New York, April 14, 1808: married, at Pembroke, New
York, May 9, 1829, Mary Jruie Sawyer, born at l^racut, Massachusetts,
November 3, 1811. and in 1836, back in territorial days, came with his
family to Michigan and settled in Groveland township, Oakland county,
where he lived until 1850, in which year he moved with his family over
into (lenesee county and settled at Goodrich, where he engaged in the drug
and general merchandise business and where he spent the rest of his life.
The senior William H. Putnam also possessed considerable knowledge of
law and practiced law quite a bit thereabout during the early days. For
many years he was retained in the office of justice of the peace in and for
Atlas township and was affectionately known throughout that whole region
as "Squire Put." He was appointed postmaster and for years also held

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 385

that office. He was a charter nieniber of the Masonic lodge at Goodrich
and was a past master of that lodge. About the time of the close of the
Civil War he sold his store to his son, William H. Putnam, Jr., and retired
from business, continuing, however, to make his home at Goodrich, where
he died on November 20, 1878. His widow survived him for more than
ten years, her death occurring at Flint on July 6, 1889.

The junior William H. Putnam grew to manhood in the village of
(Goodrich, receiving his schooling in the schools of that village and at the
academy at Clarkston. From the days of his boyhood he was a valuable
assistant to his father in the work of conducting the store there and in look-
ing after the affairs of the postoffice. On June 2, 1864, he married Rhoda
.\nn Frost, who was born on a pioneer farm in the vicinity of Goodrich,
daughter of Jonathan and Olive (Cobb) Frost, who were among the most
prominent of tlie early families of that section of the county, a history of
which family is .set out in a biographical sketch of Mrs. Emily Goodrich, a
sister of the late Mrs. Putnam, presented elsewhere in this volume. Not
long after his marriage, William H. Putnam, Jr., succeeded his father in
the management of the Putnam store at Goodrich and continued thus engaged
until he sold the store and retired from business about the year 1890. He
also was active in civic affairs thereabout and for years was one of the lead-
ers in all community movements. For a number of terms he served as town-
ship supervisor, for many years was justice of the peace, as his father had
been, and also served for some years as postmaster, as had his father. He
was a public-spirited and progressive citizen and when the movement to con-
struct the trolley line from Flint to Detroit was inaugurated was one of the
leaders in that work in his section of the county. He had held most of the
township offices, at one time and another, and was for years a valued mem-
ber of the school board. He was a life-long Democrat and was a charter
member of the Order of the Loyal Guard and of the Knights of the Macca-
bees at Goodrich, taking a warm interest in the affairs of these organizations.
William H. Putnam, Jr., died at his home in Goodrich in June, 1905. His
wife had preceded him to the grave a little less than four years, her deatli
liaving occurred on October 21, 19OT. They were the parents of four chil-
dren, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth,
the others being as follow: Mary S., who married Nelson A. Strong and
lives at Eaton Rapids, this state; Olive Grace, who died on October i, 1881,
when three years of age, and William Jonathan Putnam, born on July 21.
1884, postmaster at Goodrich and a well-known merchant of that place, the
(25a)

386 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

third of the family in successive generations to be in business at Goodrich
and to hold the office of postmaster there.

George F. Putnam spent his boyhood in his native village and upon
completing the course in the Goodrich schools went to Chicago, at the age
of eighteen years, and took a course in watchmaking, going from there to
Edwardsville, Illinois, then to Buffalo, New York, where he worked a year.
Returning to Michigan, he located at Eaton Rapids, where he engaged in the
jewelry and watch-making business, also dealing in wall paper and books.
He was in business there for nearly nine years, during which period, in the
fall of 1897, he married. Not long after his marriage Mr. Putnam sold his
store at Eaton Rapids and for about five years thereafter was engaged in
the establishment of Wright, King & Company, jewelers, at Detroit. He
then returned to Genesee county and for two or three years thereafter was
employed in the jewelery business and in the manufacture of steel tape In
1905 Mr. Putnam returned to Goodrich, the home of his boyhood, and has
ever since made his home there. In 1914 he formed a partnership with
William Yerke in the automobile business at Goodrich and has since then
been thus engaged. The firm act.s as local agents for two popular makes
of automobiles and has a well-conducted garage and ser\nce station at Good-
rich. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Putnam is the owner of a
fine farm of three hundred acres east of Goodrich, a part of which is a por-
tion of the old Frost homestead tract, entered from the government by
his Grandfather Frost and which has been in the family's possession ever
since. Mr. Putnam is a stockholder and a member of the board of direc-
tors of the Bank of Goodrich and takes an active interest in the general
business life of the community. He is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's
interest in local politics, but has not been included in the office-seeking class.

On November 10, 1897, ^t Eaton Rapids, George F. Putnam was united
in marriage to Ida M. Springer, who was born at tliat place, a daughter of
Oliver H. P. and Electa (Boardman) Springer, natives of Huron county,
Ohio, who \\ere married at Eaton Rapids, where for years Mr. Springer
was engaged in the lumber business and also owned an ax factory. He
died on May 24, 1895, and his widow now makes her home with her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Putnam. Oliver H. P. Springer was an honored veteran of the
Civil War, having served for aixiut four years, or until the close of the war.
as a member of Company A, One Hundred and First Regiment, Ohio Volun-
teer Infantr}-. During his service one of his thumbs was shot oflf and he
was taken prisoner by the enem.y, but was later retaken by Union troops.
He received his honorable discharge in September, 1865, and the next year

GENESEF. COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 387

came to Michigan, locating at Eaton Rapids, where he was engaged in lum-
bering and in the manufacture of edged tools the rest of his active life.
Ida M. Springer was reared at Eaton Rapids, receiving her schooling in the
high school there and in a business college at Toledo, Ohio, and remained
at home until her marriage to Mr. Putnam in 1897. To that union two
daughters have been born. Grace Electa and Jennie Louise. Mrs. Putnam
is a member of the Baptist church.

MALCOLM W. CARMICHAEL.

Malcolm W. Carmichael, a well-known and substantial farmer of Clay-
ton township, this county, former treasurer of that township and the pro-
prietor of "Clover Leaf Farm," a well-kept and profitably operated place of
one hundred acres in section 23 Clayton township, eight miles west of Flint,
on the Corunna road, rural route No. 5, out of FHnt is a native of the Domin-
ion of Canada, but has lived in Genesee county since he was fifteen years
old and has consequently been a witness to and a participant in the develop-
ment that has marked this part of the state within the past half century.
He was born in the city of London. Ontario, April 20, 1853, son of Alexan-
der and Catherine (McNaughton) Carmichael, the former a native of Scot-
land and the latter of Canada, who later came to Michigan and settled in
Genesee county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Alexander Carmichael was born in 1819 and was but two years old
when his parents emigrated from Scotland to Canada, where he grew to
manhood and married, making his home in London until 1866, when he came
to Michigan with his family and settled in Clayton township, this county,
where he spent the rest of his life. Upon coming here he rented a farm, but
in 1869 bought a tract in section 14 on which he established his permanent
home, clearing and improving his farm and becoming a substantial farmer.
He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are
still living, those besides the subject of this sketch, who was the third in
order of birth, being as follows: Mary, wife of George Burleson, of Flint:
Nancy, wife of James Ottaway, of Detroit: Albert, of Swartz City, this
county; Edmund, also of Swartz Creek; Mina, wife of Bert Harris, also of
Swartz Creek, and Robert, a farmer of Clayton township.

As noted above. Malcolm W. Carmichael was about fifteen years of
age when he came to this county from Canada with his parents and he grew

388 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

to manhood on the home farm in Clayton township, completing his school-
ing in the district schools of that neighborhood. As a young man he began
working in the lumber woods hereabout and presently bought a tract of
<^ighty acres in section 23 of his home township, which he proceeded to clear
and drain and otherwise improve. He later added an adjoining tract of
twenty acres and now has a fine farm of one hundred acres, "Clover Leaf
["arm" being regarded as one of the model farms in that part of the county.
Mr. Carmichael is a Democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention
to local political afifairs, for some time having been treasurer of the town-
ship.

Mr. Carmichael has been twice married. His first wife, who was Martha
Goodes, died in 1883, leaving one son, Wilham M. Carmichael, born on
January 6, 1880, who received his schooling in the Fenton high school and
is now operating a cattle ranch in Arizona. On March 17, 1886, Mr. Car-
michael married Harriet Bartlett, who was born in Nova Scotia, February
9, i860, and who was about thirteen years old when her parents came to
Michigan and settled in Flint, where she grew to womanhood and where
she was living at the time of her marriage to Mr. Carmichael. To this
union two children have been born, Maude, born on June 2, 1888, who was
graduated from Bliss Business College at Flint and is living at home with
her parents, and Donald H., November, 1889, who also was graduated from
the Bliss Business College. He married Gladys Houghton and is making
his home on the old home farm, a valuable assistant to his father in the
active management of the same. The Carmichaels have a very pleasant home
at "Clover Leaf Farm" and take a proper interest in the general social activi-
ties of their home communitv.

W1LLL\M H. SHAW.

William H. Shaw, a well-known and substantial farmer of Clayton
township, this county, former overseer of highways of that township and
proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in sections 31 and
32, two and one-half miles southeast of Lennon, is a native of England, but
has been a resident of Michigan since he was six years of age and has there-
fore been a witness to and a participant in the wonderful development that
has marked this region during the past half century and more. He was
horn on March 29, 1847, son of Charles and Mary A. (Grant) Shaw, lx)th

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 389

natives of England, who left their native land in 1853 and came to the United
States, locating in Courtland county, New York, where they lived for two
years, at the end of which time they came to Michigan and settled on a farm
near Birmingham, in Oakland county, where they made their home until
1876, when they moved over into Genesee county, where they spent the rest
of their lives. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church at
Clio and took an active part in church affairs. To them ten children were
bom, of whom eight are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch
being as follow: Joseph, of Emily City; Robert, of Clio; Lucy, wife of
Mert Fairbanks, of Mt. Morris; Libbie, wife of John Beardsley, of Clio;
Albert, of Clio; Fannie, widow of William Walters of Saginaw, and Lillie,
wife of Victor Sheppard, of Alma. Those deceased are Thomas, and Etta,
who was the wife of Dayton Hurd, of Clio.

William H. Shaw was six years old when he came with his parents
from England to the United States and was about eight years old when they
came from New York state to Michigan. He received his schooling in the
Bloomfield Center school in Oakland county and was reared on the home
fami in that neighborhood. He early began working on his own account,
working on farms and in the lumber woods and after his marriage came to
Genesee county. For twenty years thereafter he made his home at Flint,
engaged in various forms of occupation, living there until 1891, when he
settled on the farm in Clayton township, where he now lives. During his
residence in Flint Mr. Shaw was for some time engaged in the livery busi-
ness and in the sale of agricultural implements and threshing-machine out-
fits. He brought the first steam threshing-machine to this county and in
one year sold one hundred and ten threshing outfits, his traveling connection
with the New Burdsall Company, of Albany, New York, continuing for more
than twenty years. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Shaw has
given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very
well. His farm is well improved and he is regarded as one of the pro-
gressive farmers of his neighborhood. In his political views he is a Demo-
crat and has served his township in the capacity of overseer of highways.
He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and takes a warm interest
in the affairs of that organization.

On August II, 1867, in Oakland county, William H. Shaw was united
in marriage to Martha Bellis, wlio was born on December 19, 1847, daugh-
ter of John and Sarah (Jones) Bellis, natives of New Jersey, who came to
this state at an early day in the settlement of this region and settled on a
farm in the Clarkson neigbljorhood in Oakland county, becoming influential

390 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

pioneers of that section. Mrs. Shaw is a sister of Professor BelHs, of Mt.
Pleasant. John Beliis and wife were the parents of thirteen children, Henry,
John, Amos, George, Matilda, Francis, Hannah, Sarah, Martha and four
who died young. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaw five children have been born,
namely: Sarah A. deceased; Nettie E., deceased; Charles J., a graduate of
the Flint high school, now the state manager for Michigan for the Sterling
Manufacturing Company, of Sterling, Illinois, who married Effie Whitmore
and has three children, William F., Hobart and Vesta M. ; Ida, wife of C.
A. Crippen, of Lansing, and Nellie, who married C. B. Smith and has two
children, Velma and Martha. The Shaws have a very pleasant home and
take a proper interest in all measures having to do with the advancement of
the best interests of their home community.

JOHN E. KOUNTZ.

John E. Kountz, a well-known and substantial farmer of Clayton town-
ship, this county, township treasurer and proprietor of a well-kept farm of
ninety acres one mile north of Swartz Creek, on rural route No. 8, out
of Flint, is a native of Maryland, but has lived in Genesee county since the
year 1888. He was born on September 22, i860, son of Silas and Nancy
( Stouffer) Kountz, the former of whom was a son of Henry Kountz, also
.1 native of Maryland, and the latter a daughter of Abraham and Susanna
( Fahrney) Stouffer, natives of Pennsylvania, but whose last days were spent
in Maryland. Silas Kountz was a tailor by trade and both he and his wife
spent their last days in that state. During the Civil War he served as a
soldier for two years. He and his wife were the parents of six children,
of whom four are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being
as follow: William H., of Chicago; D. S., of Philadelphia, and Delia, wife
of John Gaylor, of Boonsboro, Maryland.

When he was sixteen years old John E. Kountz left his home in Mary-
land and went to Pittsburgh, where he worked fdr the Pullman Company
for four years, at the end of which time he went to Chicago and was there
for two years employed in the plant of the Woodruff Sleeping Car Com-
pany. . He then entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railroad and was
for a time located at Flint, shortly afterward beginning work as a farm
laborer in this county and has been farming ever since. For ten years he
was employed as a farm laborer, but found that he was unable to save any

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

391

money and when he was married in the spring of 1893 he had but twenty
dollars. After his marriage he rented a farm and established his home,
continuing as a renter until 19 13, when he Ijought the farm on which he is
now living and where he and his family have made their home ever since,
and where they are very pleasantly situated. Mr. Kountz is a Democrat and
is at present serving the public in the capacity of treasurer of his home town-
ship.

It was on April 25, 1893, that John E. Ivountz was united in marriage
to Nora Remington, who was born in this county on April 29, 1874, daugh-
ter of Loomis Remington, who was a son of Eli Remington, a native of New
York state. Loomis Remington married Artemesia Hempstead and to that
union four children were born, of whom three are still living, Mrs. Kountz
having a brother, Fred Remington, of Clayton township, this county, and
a sister, Wealthy, who married George Parker. To Mr. and Mrs. Kountz
two children have been born, Claude A., who was graduated from the Swartz
Creek grade schools and from the Flint high school and is now employed in
the postoffice at Flint, and Theresa B.. who is at home with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Kountz are members of the Grange and of the Ancient Order
of Gleaners and take a warm interest in the afifairs of the same, as well as
iti the general social afifairs of the communitv in which thev live.

WILLIAM T. McAllister.

William T. McAllister, the owner and proprietor of the "Elm Grove
Farm", in Flint township, was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on June
22, 1876, a son of William and Eliza (Comden) McAUister, the former of
whom was born in Canada on June 4, 1839, while the latter was a native of
England, born on April 2, 1853. She was but two years of age when she
came to the United States with her parents who located near Pontiac, this
state. There she grew to womanhood and later married. After their mar-
riage William McAllister and wife lived for a time in Oakland county after
which they located in Montcalm county, near Stanton, where they spent the
rest of their lives, Mr. McAllister's death occurring in 1912. William
McAllister and wife were the parents of five children: Ella, the wife
of Charles Anderson of Enid, Montana; Albert E., of Montcalm county,
this state; Marrian G., wife of Elroy Tellotson, of Eagle; Lewis, of Lansing,
and William T., the subject of this sketch.

392 GENKSEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

William T. McAllister was reared un his father's farm in Montcalm
county and attended the district school in the winter, working on the farm
in the summer. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of
age, when he was married to Mattie L. Morrish, March 6, 1901. Mrs.
McAllister was born on the farm where she now lives, September 21, 1874,
the daughter of Richard and Adelia (Herrick) Morrish. The mother.
Adelia Herrick, was the daughter of I\e\-. Lawson Herrick. The father,
Richard Morrish, was born in England in 1S39 and died on October 14,
19 1 5. Mrs. Herrick was liorn in Michigan in May, 1848, and died on
March 7. 1908. Richard ^lorrish and wife were the parents of four girls:
Minnie, the wife of H. S. Pease, of Denver, Colorado; Rose, the wife of
Ephraim Judson. of Durand. Michigan; Cora, wife of A. C. Meddanugh.
of Denver, Colorado, and Mattie, the wife of William T. McAllister. Mat-
tie Morrish McAllister was reared on the farm and was educated in the
district schools. She lived with and cared for her parents until their death.

Mr. and Mrs. McAllister are the parents of two children. Mabel .-\..
born on June 11, 1903, and Ford M., August 19, 1908. They are active
members of the IMethodist Episcopal church, Mr. McAllister being a memlier
of the ofificial board. He is a Republican in politics and treasurer of the
school district.

TOE FROST

Joe Frost, a well-known and substantial farmer of Clavton township,
this county, proprietor of the old l-Josebine Chopping fann on the Duffield
road in sections 7 and 8 of that township, so called in honor of its original
owner, one of the earliest settlers of that part of the county, is a native of
Germany, but has been a resident of this country since he was twenty-two
years of age. He was born at Mecklenburg Schwerin. on May 17, 1862.
son of Charles and Sophia (Benear) Frost. He received his education in
his nati\-e land and there learned the trade of blacksmith, working at the
same there, as a journeyman, until he was twenty-two years old, when he
came to the United States, landing at the port of New York. Not long
afterward he came to Michigan and settled in Venice township, Shiawassee
county, where he began working on a farm and where he presently married.
After living four years in Shiawassee cotmty he came over into Genesee
county, locating in Clayton lowiT^hip. where he worked on a farm for about

^T|H|HH|||^^^H

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JjF!^m

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r^ ^J^l

GENESEK COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 393

three years, at the end of wiiicli time he bought a forty-acre farm of his
own in that township and there made his home for six or seven years. He
then sold that place and bought the "eighty" on which he is now living in
section 8 of that same township. That was in 1900 and he later bought
a "forty" in section 7, across the road from his home, and as he prospered
in his farming operations later bought the adjoining forty acres, thus secur-
ing a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has brought to
an excellent state of development. In addition to his general farming, Mr.
Frost has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has
done very well. He is a Democrat and he and his wife are memljers of
the Lutheran Evangelical church, in the various beneficences of which the\-
take a warm interest.

]\frs. Frost before her marriage was Sophia Brandenberger. She was
born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, daughter of hMward and Sophia
(Herring) Brandenberger. the former a native of that same county and the
latter of Germany. These parents were married in Pennsylvania and when
their daughter, Soiihia, was nine nn^nths old, came to Michigan, settling in
the neighborhood of Corunna, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee,
where they spent the rest of their lives and where Sophia Brandenberger
was living when she married Mr. Frost. To that union six children have
been born, all of whom are living, namely: William, who was boni on
September ^24, 1893; Edith, October 9, 1896; Ella, March i, 1899; Louie,
January 7, 1901 ; Minnie, Januarv 13, 1903, and John, July 17, 1906. In
191 3 Mr. Frost made a tri)) to Germany and spent two months in that
countrv.

SAMUEL MORRISH.

Samuel Morrish, the proprietor of "Forest Lawn Farm" near Flint,
is a native of England, where he was born on February 9, 1849, the son
oi Richard and Mary (Crelock) Morrish, both natives of that country,
where they were married, after which they came to the United States in
1850, locating in Flint township, this county, where they purchased one
hundred acres of land. The farm was later increased to five hundred and
ten acres. Richard Morrish was not only a good farmer, but a successful
stock dealer, and was quite successful.

On coming to the United States, Richard Morrish took out his natural-
ization papers as soon as possible and during his life in this county took

394

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

nmch interest in politics. He voted for Stephen .\. Douglas, but after that
lie cast his influence with the Republican party. i\Ir. Morrish died on May
0, 1873, and Mrs. Morrish in the fall of 1880. They were the parents of
nine children, four of whom are living: Sarah, the widow of Byron Hew-
ett; George, a farmer in Flint township; Priscilla, the widow of Monroe
VVinget and Samuel, the subject of this sketch.

Samuel Morrish was hut little past a year old when he came to the
United States with his parents. He was reared on his father's farm in
Mint township and attended the district school. He has read law and is
well versed in the same. After leaving school he farmed his father's farm
for some time, after which he went West, but soon returned to this county,
where he engaged in farming.

Samuel Morrish was united in marriage to Ellen J. Kellicut and to
that union two children were born, Fred R. and Grace, the former of whom
died at the age of thirteen years. The mother of these children died and
on July I, 1886, IMr-. Morrisli married Louise Sells, who was born in Can-
ada on July 14, 1857, the daughter of Abraham and Mary A. (Sliaron)
Sells. To this union one '.liild has been torn, a son. Dr. R. S. Morrish,
a physician and surgeon, of Flint, a graduate of the medical department of
the University of Michigan.

FRED D. ATHERTON.

Fred D. Atherton. a farmer of Burton township and the proprietor of
the sixty-four-acre farm, three miles south of Flint, known as "Rural
Home," was born in that township on April 8. 1857. son and only child
of Gustavus and Sallie (Felkins) Atherton.

Gustavus Atherton was torn in Henderson, Jefferson county, New
York, on September 19, 1822, and died on June 27, 1895. He was the son
of Penis Atherton, a native of Vermont, and one of the early settlers of
fienesee county. In 1834 Perus Atherton entered government land in Bur-
ton township, where he lived until seventy-five years of age, when he and his
wife moved to Flint, where Mrs. Atherton died, he dying some time later
in Burton township. Mr. Atherton was one of the founders of the Baptist
church in the vicinity of his home and was a deacon for thirty years. Perus
Atherton and wife were the parents of four children, Gustavus, Shubeal,
Fucretia and Emilv. all of whom are deceased.

GENESKE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 395

l^red U. Alherton was reared on the home farm and attended the dis-
trict schools. In 1876 he married Georgie A. Wiltse, who was born at
Peoria, Illinois, and to that union three children were born, Katie, the wife
of Arthur Seely, of Grand Blanc; Winifred, wife of John Willett, of David-
son township, and Lucretia, the wife of Myron Taber, of Grand Rapids.
The mother of these children died on July i6, 1907, and on November 23,
1908, Fred D. Atherton married Mrs. Rosena Crago, who was born on
July 14, 1867, and who by her first marriage is the mother of one daughter,
Dorothy, born on March 7, 1900.

Mr. and Mrs. Atherton are members of the Baptist churcli at Grand
Blanc. He is a trustee of the society and was clerk of the church for ten
years. They are active in all departments of the church work and take
much interest in the success of the society. Mr. Atherton is a Republican
and takes an active interest in the work of his party. He was justice of the
peace for a time and for two years was township clerk. He is a prominent
and influential citizen of the community in which he lives and takes much
interest in all that tends to the betterment of the same. Mrs. Atherton is a
members of the Knights and Ladies of Security.

]. FRED SCHRAM.

J. Fred Schram, a prominent farmer and the owner of the "Maple
Lawn Farm", consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, five miles south-
east of Flint, was born on the farm he now owns, on July 31, 1857, being
the son of Henry and Caroline (Curtis J Schram, the latter of whom was a
neice of Charles G. Finney, who was the second president of Oberiin College.

Henry and Caroline Schram were natives of the state of New York,
he having been born in Jefferson county in 18 15 and she in Adams county
in 1814. Both grew to manhood and womanhood in their native state.
They were married there in 1834 and in the fall of that same year came to
Michigan, stopping at Flint, which at that time had notliing but a land office,
a blacksmith shop and a bridge over the river. They had but two dollars
and fifty cents and an ax, yet they had the determination to make a home.
They walked to Pliny Skinner's and later took up a claim, built a log hut
and moved in. By hard work and much economy they in time acquired
two hundred and forty acres of land, the most of which Mr. Schram cleared
and improved himself. He built the house that J. Fred Schram was born

396 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

in and now lives in, and it has the distinction of having l>een the home of
three generations of the family. It was there that Henry Schram lived
until the time of his death in 1888. His widow survived him until 1897.
They were the parents of five children : Herbert, who is deceased ; LaRue,
a fanner of Burton township; Adelbert, who died in June, 1906; Cornelia,
the wife of A. M. Kimball, and J. Fred, the subject of this sketch.

J. Fred Schram was l^orn and reared on the farm where he now lives.
He received his schooling in the district schools and spent two years at the
high school at Flint. After leaving school he engaged in farming, having
rented the home place. On February 23, 1881, he married Caroline Nesbitt.
who was born in Flint township, on September 23, 1863, a daughter of
Thomas and Aura THoag) Nesbitt, of that township, natives of the state of
New York. She completed her schooling in the high school and lived on
the farm with her parents until she was married.

J. Fred Schram and wife are the parents of five children: Claud H.,
who married Leah Pidd, of Flint, and has one child, a son, James H. ; Clare
F. M., a graduate of the medical department of Columbia College, who- mar-
ried Mazie Porter, of Sandusky. Ohio, and has tw'o children. Jean C. and
Hobart P.; Harold L., a graduate of the Business College of Oberlin, Ohio,
who married Margaret Deming. and has one son, J. F., Jr., who was bom
in the same room in which his grandfather and father were born; Russell,
who is at home, and Donald F., a student in the Flint high school.

Mr. and Mrs. Schram are members of the Court Street Methodist Epis-
copal church at Flint, and are members of the Loyal Guards and of the
.Ancient Order of Gleaners.

CHARLES K. W.ARNER.

Charles K. Warner, a prominent and successful farmer and the owner
of a one-hundred-and-fort}--one-acre farm, known as the Hiller farm, and
another eighty acres in Burton township, was born in Orleans county, New-
York, on February 25, 1856, the son of Calvin C. and Melissa C. (Wilder)
Warner, both natives of the state of New York, ha\-ing been born in the
.same township and attended tlie same school. After their marriage they
came to Michigan, arriving at Flint in the fall of 1865. They located on
one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land in section 5, Flint township, and
there Mr. Warner lived until his death on February 11. 1896. Mrs. War-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 397

iier is still living in Mint. She was ijorn on December 14, 1829. Mr. and
Mrs. Warner were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and for years
A'Tr. Warner was an office bearer in the same.

Calvin C. Warner and wife were the parents of five children, two of
whom are living, Dwight, a graduate of the law department of the Uni-
versity of Michigan and a practicing attorney of Lansing, who has served
as a representative in the Legislature, and Charles K.. the subject of this
sketch.

Charles K. Warner was reared on the farm in Flint township and com-
pleted his schooling in the high school. Soon after leaving school he
tecame engaged in farming and the raising of cattle. From 1895 to 1901
lie lived in Flint, where he was chief of police and later became under-
sheriff of the county. He later returned to the farm.

On February 12, 1878, Charles K. Warner was united in marriage to
Jennie Hiller, who was born on the farm where she now lives, the eleventh
child of John Hiller and wife, and to this union four children have been
lx)rn, Calvin John, who died in infancy; Melissa, Cyrus and Lavira. Me-
lissa Warner received her education in the Flint high school and the business
college and married Ralph A. Crasper, to which union three children were
born, Charles N., Ruth W. and Ralph A. Mr. Crapser, who was a railroad
fireman, was killed while on duty. His widow later married Frank O.
Robinson, of Burton township, and to this second union two children have
been born, Frank W. and John L. Cyrus Warner attended the Flint high
school and business college and is at home, assisting his father on the farm.
Lavira Martin, a graduate of the Flint high school, is the wife of John
Rutherford, of Flint, and has two sons, John and James.

Charles K. Warner is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at
Flint. He is a Republican and has served as highway commissioner. Be-
sides his general farm work he conducts a dairy and keeps twenty cows.
He is a successful business man and has the confidence and respect of the
community in which he lives. Mrs. Warner has the deed that her father
received from tlie government, signed by Martin Van Buren, then President.
This farm is now the Warner iiomestead. Ten of the Hiller children were
born there and all of the Warner famil\' but two were lx)rn there and
Mehssa, the daughter, had two children born in the room where her mother
was born and where her Grandmother Hiller died. The Rutherford chil-
dren have two grandfathers, two grandmothers, three great-grandmothers
and one great-grandfather.

^q8 GENESEE COUNTY. MICHIGAN.

JOHN J. COLES.

John J. Coles, a farmer and the owner of the "Gilkey Springs Farm,"
four miles east of Flint in Burton township, was born in Saginaw county,
this state, June i6, 1858, the son of John and Martha (Lasier) Coles, the
former a native of England and the latter of the state of New York. John
Coles came to America witli his parents w'.ien but a child and located with
them in the state of New York, where he was educated in the district
schools. He was married there to Martha Lasier, after which they came
to Michigan, settling in Oakland county and later in Saginaw county, where
he owned one liundred and sixty acres of land. He and Mrs. Coles were
active members of tiie iNIethodist Protestant church and took much interest
in both the church and Sunda>- schotjl work. He died in 1870. She sur-
vived until 1 88 1.

John Coles and wife were the parents of nine children, seven of whom
are living: William H., a retired farmer of Emmett county; Benjamin F..
a farmer of Hillsdale county; Jesse, who is engaged in the grocery business
at Bay City; Rachel, the wife of J. E. Miller, of Richfield township, this
county; Fannie L., wife of Levi H. Roat, of Davi.son township; Elmer, of
Tuscola county, and John J., the subject of this sketch.

John J. Coles lived on the farm in Saginaw county until fourteen years
of age when he came with his mother to Genesee county in 1872. He
remained at home until he was twenty years of age and until he was twenty-
four he worked at various things. He purchased eighty acres of land sev-
eral years before he was married and on September 17, t88i, he was mar-
ried in Flint, by Elder Northrick, of the Presbyterian church, to Emily E.
Roat. who was born in Burton township, tliis county, January 8, 1865,
daughter of Levi and Elsie J. (Rump) Roat, natives of the state of New
^'ork. who came to Genesee county after they were married and settled on
one hundred and sixty acres of wild land which they took from the gov-
ernment and which they developed and improved. They later increased
their holdings to two hundred acres. Besides their active life on the farm
they devoted much time to the work of the Presbyterian church, of which
they were members. Mr. and Mrs. Roat were the parents of seven children :
Jane M., wife of G. W. White, of Lapeer county; Levi, a farmer in Davison
township; Dora, the wife of George Thomas, a retired farmer, of Flint:
Estella. the \v\ie of \^^iIlard Hill, a retired farmer, of Tthaca, Michigan:

r.ENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 399

Kmily E., wife of Mr. Coles; Jolin W., a farmer, of Burton township, and
David, also a farmer.

To John J. and Emily E. (Roat) Coles eight children have been born,
namely: Ernest J-, who married Charlotte Brown, of Oakland county, and
lives in this county; Ray L., who married Gertrude Young, of Flint; Bessie,
who inarried Flo}d Murphy; Grace W., wife of G. W. Riness; John E.,
who is farming in this county; Florence, the wife of Ralph Jacobs; Hazel,
who is at home, and Lulu May, who died when nearly three years of age.
The family are' members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a
proper interest in church work. JN'Ir. Coles is a Republican, but is sufficiently
independent in his political views for the man rather than for the party..

MARION DYE.

Marion D3-e, a successful farmer of Flint township and the owner of
"Grassmere Farm" of one hundred and fifteen acres, five miles west of
Flint, was Ijorn on October lo, 1856, the son of Leonard and Eliza (Brock-
way) Dye.

Leonard Dye, a native of the state of New York, born on March 14,
1830, died at his home in Michigan on February 13, 1901. Mrs. Dye, a
native of Madison county, Ohio, born on October 22, 1835, died on March
i, ig\(). Both came with their respective parents to Michigan and were
married at blint on No\ember 8. 1854. Soon after their marriage, they
moved to the farm in section 20, Flint township, where Leonard Dye cut the
first timber on the place. By diligence and hard work the farm was cleared
and improved, and bec;i.me known as one of the best in that locality. It
was there Mr. and Mrs. Dye spent, the remainder of their lives. They were
members of the Free Methodist church, known as the Dye church, they
ha\'ing given the land for the location of the same and contributing more
liberally for the Iwilding of this church and the support of the society.
Leonard Dye and wife were the parents of four children, but two of whom
are now living, William L. and Marion.

Marion Dye was reared on the home farm and attended the district
school near by. On October 20, 1878, he was united in marriage to Jennie
Link, who also was born in b'lint township, February 4, 1861, daughter of
-Abraham and Pamela (Marshall) Link, the former of whom was born on
December 11, 1835, in Mint township, where he has always made his home.

400 c;knfsi-:i-: (;oun;y. Michigan.

Mrs. Link is a native of England, where she was born on May ii, 1839.
Abraham and Pamela (Marshall) Link, the former of whom was born on
of four children; Jennie, wife of Mr. Link; Cora, the wife of Fred Brown;
Henrietta, wife of Clarence Brockway, and Ruth, who died at the age of
six years. Jennie Link was reared on the home farm and received her edu-
cation in the district school, the same school attended by Marion Link. The
two grew to manhood and womanhood in the same community and later
married. In 1899 they removed to the farm where they now Vwq. They
are the parents of the following children; iMxd, bom on April 6, 1880,
now deceased ha\ing been killed by the cars on the railroad at Plymouth,
where he was working as a telegraph operator; Floyd, November 29, 1883.
who was educated in the district scliools. married Hattie Miller, and now
lives at Detroit, and Frank M., JanuaiT 13, 1887, who attended the Bliss
business College and the Ferris Institute, and now is located at Flint.

Mrs. Dye is a -member of the Free Methodist church and has served
as church treasurer. She has lieen an active member of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union for many }cars. Mr. Dye is a Democrat and
lias served the people in a number of the offices of the county, being elected
by large majorities.

MRS. FMIIA" GOODRICH.

Among the residents of the southeastern part of Genesee count}' there
is none l>etter known, more highly respected or more definitely connected
with the early history and development of Atlas township than is Mrs. Emily
* loodrich, widow, who is now living in her comfortable home in the pleasant
\illage of Goodrich, enjoying many evidences of the high esteem in which
she is held throughout that whole community. .\ daughter of Jonathan
l'"rost, who, in his day, was perhaps the strongest individual factor in the
development of the interests of Atlas township, and by her marriage con-
nected with the Goodrich family, which was equally prominent and force-
ful in the work of bringing about proper social and economic conditions in
the fonnative period of that now well-established and prosperous com-
munity, she has li\ed to see wonderful changes in the methods of living
since the days of her girlhood and has been a no inconsiderable factor in the
work of effecting that marvelous change for the better. Emily Frost was
bom on a pioneer farm one and a half miles east of the present village of
Goodrich, in .Atlas township, chis county, June 23, 1847, daughter of Jona-

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4OI

than and Olive (Cobb) Frost, and has lived in this county all her life.
Jonathan I'Vost was born on a farm in South Bristol township, Ontario
county, New York, December 25, 1817. His father died when he was quite
young and his home thereafter was made with kinsfolk, presently being taken
into the home of an uncle. Colonel Hawes, where he grew to manhood.
His opportunities for securing an education were verj^ limited and he started
out in life with but slight equipment in the way of schooling, but possessed
of strong hands, a willing heart and tireless energy. In 1836, being just past
nineteen years of age, Jonathan Frost came to Michigan and bought from
the govermnent the northeast quarter of section 24, Atlas township, this
county, later buying from his brother the east half of the northwest quarter
of the same section. During the fall and winter of that year he remained
in Atlas and then returned to New York, where he resumed his work on
the farm and remained there until after his marriage to Olive Cobb, in
May, 1839, when he and his bride entered upon the occupation of his wilder-
ness farm in the forests of Atlas township. He erected a log house and
there he and his wife established their home, thus being among the very
earliest settlers in that part of Genesee county. Jonathan Frost set about
clearing his place and in due time had a well-improved and profitably oper-
ated fann. As he prospered he added to his holdings until he became the
o\^■ner of a fine fami of three hundred and ninety-three acres and was
regarded as one of the most substantial citizens in that part of the country.
He also dealt largely in real estate, invested in mills and in other ways made
himself one of the most prominent and active factors in the development
of the material interests of that section. Mr. Frost had grown up as a
Democrat, but upon the organization of the Republican party, afifiliated with
that party and ever afterward was one of the leaders of the organization
in this county. He also took an active and prominent part in church work,
was one of the founders of the Methodist church at Atlas, of which he for
many years was an officer, was active and influential in all neighborhood
good works and at the time of his death, on April 14, 1873, left a good ^
memory throughout that whole section.

Jonathan Frost was twice married. On May 30, 1839, he was united
in marriage in his old home county in New York to Olive Cobb, who was
born at Honeoye, Ontario county. New York, March 3, 1818, daughter of
Jote and Rhoda (Abbey) Cobb, and to that union five children were born,
namely: Maryette, now deceased, who was the wife of Carleton Horton,
of Atlas, this coimty; Rhoda A., also deceased, who was the wife of William
(26a)

402 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

H. Putnam, Jr., of Goodricli, this county; Emory and Emily, twins, the
fonner of whom died when fifteen months old and the latter of whom is
the immediate subject of this biographical sketch, and Ephraim, deceased.
The mother of these children died on December i6, 1852, and Jonathan
Frost married, secondly, Mrs. Ann S. Hawes, a widow, bom in Ontario
county, New York, April 6, 1828, daughter of W'illiam and Prudence
(Case) Paul, and to this union one child was liorn, a daughter, Jennie, now
deceased, who was the wife of Dr. J. C. Bradley, of Eaton Rapids.

Emily Frost was reared on the farm on which she was bom. east
of the village of Goodrich, received her schooling in tlie schools of that
neighborhood and remained at home mitil her marriage, on December 29,
1870, to Joseph Goodrich, who was born on a farm two miles west of the
village of Goodrich in 1840, son of Levi and Olive (Payne) Goodrich,
pioneers and prominent residents of that part of the county. The Good-
rich family early became one of the best-known and most influential families
in Genesee county and the name is inseparably linked with the history of
Atlas township and of the village of Goodrich. A more detailed account
of the activities of this family in Genesee county is set out in a biographical
sketch relating to William P. Goodrich and family, presented elsewhere in
this volume, and the reader is respectfully referred to that sketch for further
information in this connection. Levi Goodrich came to this county with his
father's family in 1836, back in territorial days, and engaged in fanning in
Atlas township the rest of his life. His son, Joseph Goodrich, grew to
manhood on his father's farm and after his marriage was given part of the
latter, established his home there and continued farming until his death in
June, 1876. He was an active participant in the civic affairs of his home
community and for some time had ser\'ed as treasurer of Atlas township.
To Joseph and Emily (Frost) Goodrich was born one child, a son, Frank
J. Goodrich, bom on .April 26, 1S72. who was graduated from the normal
.school at Flint and has for years been a resident of that city.

On December 29, 18S3, Mrs. Emily Goodrich married, second, Nelson
Goodrich, who was born and reared on a fami two miles southwest of the
village of Goodrich, son of Moses and Hannah (Anderson) Goodrich and
a cousin of Joseph Goodrich. Nelson Goodrich also was twice married,
his first wife, who w'as Emaline Swart, having died, leaving one child, a
daughter, Mary, who married Merton Towne, of Fenton. this county. In
1899 Nelson Goodrich retired from the fann on which he had e\er ma<ie his
home, the old Moses Goodrich farm, rented the same, as Mrs. Goodrich had
done for some time with her farm, and moved to the village of Goodrich.

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 4O3

where he s]>ent his last days, his death occurring on February 5, igio.
Nelson Goodrich was a charter member of the Order of the Loyal Guards
at Goodrich and was also a mem.ber of the local tent of the Knights of the
Maccabees.

Mrs. Emily Goodrich continues to reside in her pleasant home at Good-
rich. From the days of her girlhood she has been earnestly interested in
the various social and cultural activities of that village and the community
at large and still retains that interest. She is the only charter member now
living in Goodrich of the Ladies Library Association, that founded the library
at Goodrich in 187Q, and is now the president of that association. She also
was a charter member of the local tent of the Knights of the Maccabees
and has ever taken an influential part in the affairs of that organization.
Her son, Frank Goodrich, assumed the management of her farm, the old
Joseph Goodrich farm of a quarter of a section, which Mrs. Goodrich still
owns, after completing his schooling, and remained there until 1902, when
he moved to Flint, where he since has made his home. Two years before
moving from the farm, in 1900, he married Maud Revely, of Flint, and
he and his wife have a very pleasant home in that city. Frank Goodrich
is a Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
taking a warm interest in the affairs of both of these organizations.

WILLLAM P. HYNES.

The farmers of this generation are learning that they must employ
somewhat different methods in tilling the soil ; learning, among other things,
that continued cropping exposes the land to various weaknesses of the par-
ticular crop that is grown, and as no two crops exact the same proportion
of plant food, the continually-grown crop is bound to lessen the available
fertility of one or more of the available soil constituents. One of the care-
ful farmers of Gaines township, is William P. Hynes, who was bom there
on March 2, 1878, a son of Terrence and Mary (O'Brien) Hynes, natives
of Ireland and of Canada, respectively. They came to Michigan when
young and were married here, establishing their home in Genesee county.
Eight children were born to them, all still living save one, namely: Frank,
who is engaged in farming; Anna, Ellen, Tressa, James, Bina, Joseph, a
druggist in Detroit, ancl William P., the subject of this sketch.

William P. Hynes was reared on the liome farm and attended the dis-

404 GENKSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

trict schools in Gaines township. He remained at home with his parents,
and he and his brotiier, Frank, own the homestead, "Grand View Farm,"
which consists of two hundred acres, which they have kept well cultivated,
and where they carry on general farming and stock raising, handling a
good grade of live stock of all kinds.

Mr. Flynes is a Republican and has served as highway commissioner
of Gaines township for the past four years, being still incumbent of that
office, the duties of which he is faithfully performing. He was reared in
the Catholic faith and is a member of the church of that denomination at
Gaines village. He has remained unmarried.

CLEMENT H. BOOMER.

Clement H. Boomer, a prominent farmer of Genesee county and the
proprietor of "Sunny Side Farm," consisting of eighty acres of well-im-
proved and highly-cultivated land, was bom in Flint township on May 24,
1867, son of Benjamin and Unity (Fonon) Boomer, the former of whom
was a native of the state of New York and the latter of London, England.
The mother came to the United States when but six weeks of age, with
her parents and settled in Burton township, this county, while the father
came with his parents when but a boy and located in Flint township. After
their marriage they located in Flint township, where Benjamin Boomer spent
the rest of his life. His widow survived him and died on April 20, 1916, at
the age of eighty years. They were the parents of three children, Florence,
who is the wife of Elmer Gotshall, of this county; Clarence B., who married
Flora Sheldon and lives in Flint township, and Clement H., the subject of
this sketch.

Clement H. Boomer was reared on his father's farm and was educated
in the district schools. After the death of his father he lived with his
mother until he was past twenty-one years of age. On April 17, 1895, h*^
was united in marriage to Isabelle F. Henry, who also was boni in this
county, October 9, 1873, daughter of William and Catherine (Cotter) Henry,
the former bom in Toronto, Canada, and the latter at Belle River, Canada.
After their marriage in Detroit the Henrys located in Otterburn, Michigan,
where they lived for a number of years. Mrs. Henry died in September,
1894, and Mr. Henry died in May, 1904. William and Catherine Henr}-
were the parents of six girls, four of whom are living. Isabelle was the

GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 405

youngest of the family. She was educated in the district schools, the Flint
high school and the normal and after finishing her schooling taught for a
time.

After their marriage, Clement H. Boomer and wife moved at once to
the farm where they now live. In 1903 a barn thirty-six by seventy feet
was erected and Mr. Boomer also erected a sheep barn, fifty- four by seventy
feet. Mr. Boomer being an extensive feeder of sheep, needs a modern and
convenient barn. He feeds as many as seven hundred sheep at a time. In
1912 they built their modern residence, which is complete in every way,
having a heating and water system, making it one of the finest in Flint town-
ship.

Mr. and Mrs. Boomer are the parents of three children, Harold, bom
on August 15, 1900, now in the high school at Flint; Ethel, August 11,
1903, who has completed her course in the common schools, and Lunetta E.,
March 22, 1907. Politically, Mr. Boomer is a Republican. He has served
his township as treasurer and has served twenty years as director of the
school district.

PETER HUGHES.

From the fair Emerald Isle have come to America many enterprising
and courageous young men who have found in the free republic of the
West peaceable homes, and they have always been welcome here, for, as a
rule, they are most desirable citizens in every respect. Not so many are
found in Genesee county as in other places, but among the number the name
of Peter Hughes, a retired farmer of Otisville, is worthy of mention. He
was born in Ireland, March 16, 1846. He is a son of Peter and Alice (Fox)
Hughes, both born, reared and married in Ireland, but who later immigrated
to the United States, locating in the state of New York, where they spent
the rest of their lives, dying at early ages, he at thirty-two, and she at twentv-
nine. They left a family of four children.

Peter Hughes was a small boy when he was left an orphan, and he
was taken to Pennsylvania and put on a farm, where he worked five years.
When the war between the states began in 1861, he enlisted in Company I,
Si>rty-ninth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, which formed a part
of the famous Irish Brigade. Although but a boy he proved to be a cour-
ageous and efficient soldier and saw much hard service with the Army of
the Potomac, fighting in many of the greatest battles of the war. After

406 GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

ser\'ing the term of his enhptnient of tliree years and receiving an honorable
discharge, he returned to Pennsjdvania in 1864, and began working in a
tannery- at a salary of twenty-four dollars a month. He came to Michigan
in 1873 and located on a farm in Forest township, this county, the place
consisting of eighty acres, where he resided until 1913, when he retired
from active life, moving into the village of Otisville, where he is spending
his declining years quietly and comfortably.

Mr. Hughes married Mary A. Bums, a native of Ireland, and to this
union three children have been born, John F., who is unmarried and lives
at home; Catherine, wife of Thomas Hennessey, of Pontiac, Michigan, and
James J., at home. Mr. Hughes is a Democrat, but has never been active
in public affairs. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church.

ARTHUR PROSSER.

There are a great many people who would make a great deal more of
their opportunities if they had the proper encouragement at the proper time.
Although possessing excellent natural abilities Arthur Prosser, the present
cashier of the Otisville State Bank, needed a stimulus to his ambition and
talents when starting out on his career, which he fortmiately received, and
therefore has been successful. He was born in Livingston county, Mich-
igan, July 4, 1877, and is a son of Frank and Ella (Joslin) Prosser. The
father was born in the same vicinity as was the subject of this sketch, but
the mother was a native of New Vork state. When a child her father
brought her to Michigan, locating in the town of Brighton. Livingston
county, where he conducted a photograph .studio. Frank Prosser and wife
were married in Livingston county and located on a fann there, on which
their son Arthur was reared. The latter received his education in the public
schools of Brighton and upon leaving school accepted a position in the bank
at Brighton, in 1894. He was well suited f